TEAMWORK: Abel (front row – second from right) with his Corporate Marketing & Communications team from Berjaya Hotels & Resorts

His success is extraordinary as he has no formal training in PR and the hospitality industry – yet he is still able to stay ahead of his more established counterparts and has also been widely featured in newspapers, magazines and television.

The 39-year-old graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree (majoring in forestry and wood technology) from Universiti Putra Malaysia. Before joining the hospitality industry, he had accrued vast experience in various industries – from wood-based manufacturing, shipping and education to telecommunications.

After graduating, he worked with Samling, a wood-based manufacturing company in Bintulu, for three years before doing a six-month stint as administration and marketing officer with a shipping company – Sealink Miri.

In 2000, he joined Curtin University Sarawak in Miri as a student relations officer and later as a public relation officer. It was here that he found his niche.

After spending five years at Curtin, Abel craved for bigger challenges and better opportunities in Kuala Lumpur although he was unsure what the ‘triggering points’ would be.

“I had always wanted to try something different and that was why I quit Samling and moved to a very low paying job – not having enough money but just wanting to pursue my interests in marketing, communications and public relations,” he recalled.

Between the years he was working in these establishments, there were a lot of trials and tribulations, and at one time, he even wanted to give up.

Looking back now, he confessed he had one of his general managers to thank for his current success.

Frustrations and joys

Abel believed his rise in the hospitality line was triggered by the offer to do an master of ceremony (MC) job for Jom Heboh Programme for Motorola and Hotlink in Semenanjung Malaysia in 2006.

“That Motorola offer was a stepping stone. But it was really tough at first when I had to promote something very foreign to me.

“I never thought of travelling to every corner of peninsular Malaysia but it was the triggering point for my present career” he said, adding that it was between the rest days that he thought of applying to work in the hospitality industry.

After the expiry of his three-month contract with Jom Heboh programme, Abel finally found a rewarding job as public relations manager with the Melia Group.

Two years with Melia Kuala Lumpur, then another two years with Crowne Plaza KL as marketing and communications manager and Abel had set himself up well in the hospitality industry.

He remembered those jobs fondly and with a clear sense of gratitude even though there were several times he almost gave up but his passion for public relations kept him going.

“When I started at Melia Kuala Lumpur, it was really touch – actually a rejection for one year – as no media wanted to get to know me or come to the hotel.

“If I have one person to thank for my success, it’s my GM, Arno Thony. He taught me a very tough lesson and after one year at Melia KL, I built up my confidence.”

It was at Melia that Abel started discovering his forte in brand development, marketing and media relations.

“They used Melia KL as the benchmark for the rebranding exercise and the rest of the hotels (in the Asia pact) had to follow what we did because of the success of the programme,” he said.

Abel left Crowne Plaza for Berjaya Times Square Hotel, KL, in March 2010, initially as director of marketing and communications. He handled the job so well that within six months, he was promoted as corporate director, expanding his responsibility from one property to the entire Berjaya Hotels and Resorts group.

Abel’s forte in brand development, marketing and media relations has significantly strengthened Berjaya Hotels & Resorts’ brand presence in Malaysia and abroad.

It was done through his media savvy programmes, streamlining of brand communications tools and channels, and also his humble yet colourful and practical public relations methods.

In his current role, Abel provides leadership, direction and is responsible for the vast continuum of marketing and communications areas for the 11 properties of Berjaya Hotels & Resorts. These include brand development and communications, marketing distribution and services, media relations, advertising, events, corporate responsibility, social media and e-marketing.

Secrets of success

On his success, he said: “Considering five years after leaving Miri and being here, I think that’s quite an achievement and there is only one word to describe it – passion. I love public relations and communications.”

He constantly upgrades himself through reading books and magazines and learning from others.

Other contributory factors are smart partnership with the media and artistes and the strong support from the management and staff, friends and his family members.

“When there is friendship with them (media), there is trust and business, and once you have that, whatever you do and how many times you call them, they will support you.

“But you have to be patient. We treat them like kings and queens. The media in KL always label me like this – we have been to so many hotels or resorts in KL but we have not found any person like you.”

Abel also invites regional publications to come and review the hotel and write about the facilities.

“I also engage celebrities to be associated with our events because one of the successful things in branding is partnering yourself with big names. In KL, what bigger names can you use to reach out to the public than celebrities. They have their own fans who will follow whatever they do.”

Among the celebrities he has worked with are divas like Anita Sarawak, Datuk Siti Nurhaliza and Eija Farid Ahmad.

SMART PARTNERSHIP: Malaysian diva Dato Siti Nurhaliza receiving a bouquet from Abel.

Abel also attributes his success to good upbringing and support from close friends, especially in Curtin Sarawak, whom he said always stood by him. Among them are Viziaty Drahman, Renee Loretta Foong and Felecia Ngalih.

He said his parents instilled the fighting spirit in him, especially his father who used to be the headmaster of the primary school Abel studied at.

It was the nature of his father’s job that ultimately led to him developing what he termed as a fierce sense of independence. When the family moved from their home, Abel, as a 12-year-old in standard six, stayed back with his grandmother in the longhouse.

He remembers making the many 45-minute walks to and from school, preparing his own food, washing his uniform and having to study diligently.

“My grandma was very strict. In most longhouses, the children would race up and down the porch but not at my grandparents’ house,” he said.

Abel’s family is now staying at RPR Batu 6, Miri. His father, Nelson, is from Sungai Entulang and mother, Loretta, from Sungai Mallang – both in Miri. He is the second of five children of Iban-Kiput parentage.

The other siblings are Harry, Felix, Keith and Wendy.

An equally inspiring role model to him is his uncle, Dr Penguang Manggil, permanent secretary to Local Government and Community Development Ministry. They went to the same college – Kolej Tuanku Haji Bujang, Miri.

“I always admire him for being a professional. He got his degree and masters in Edinburg Scotland and his PHD in Ireland.

“For him, no matter how old you are, the learning process never ends. A life-long learning attitude is what I admire. I grew up in a family that emphasised a lot on education. I think it should be the same in other households,” he stressed.

Corporate social responsibility

In his profession, Abel works with different people on community and environmental projects. He said it’s no longer about work but personal commitment and making a difference in society.

His love for nature and the less fortunate is evident with the implementation of conservation projects such as Redang Island Clean-Up Day (RICD) and WWF’s Save the Turtles & Tigers Campaign, and his affiliation with many charities or children homes such as Rumah Titian Kasih and Yayasan Sunbeams.

Even during his recent holidays in Miri, he took time to visit the Sunflower Centre to see how he could help the centre benefit from the Berjaya Care Foundation.

“I always bring my team with me (for CSR projects) and it’s sometime done with our own pocket money. We drive to collect money to buy food for the children.

“I want to get team involved in outside works and also with underprivileged children to remind them there are many poor people out there who need help,” he explained.

The BHR’ Corporate Marketing & Communications team comprises Marie Low, Suresh Rajenthiran, Patrick Wong, Sophia Lim, Yong Thing Yew, Yeong Wai Peng, Hasniza Md Ros, Mohd Ezal and Audrey San.

Abel’s extensive involvement in CSR and hospitality makes him one of the most widely featured corporate figures in the media.

He has done interviews with two high profile lifestyle magazines – The Peak (May 2011) and Malaysia Tatler (July 2011) – and also appeared on the front cover of one of Malaysia’s best business magazines – Smart Investor – in August 2011.

Future directions

Abel’s has been working with Berjaya for only three years (by March 2013), yet he feels it has been a long time.

On his future direction, he said: “I will continue to enhance my portfolio in marketing, communications and PR, bringing these skills to greater heights so I could make a bigger difference in the public or community.

“The ultimate will be to have my own consultation firm and a talk show to help individuals and the community realise their full potential in life, not forgetting, of course, to put Sarawak on the world map.

He said this was in line with his philosophy of life based on an Iban value – anang jai enggau urang (never do bad unto others) and a strong determination to share knowledge.

“People’s perception is knowledge is power but to me, knowledge is even more powerful if you share,” he said.

Dr Dayang Aminah Ali

Its chief executive Dr Dayang Aminah Ali said one of the approaches was through batik.

In the college, trainees get hands-on training in batik processing, starting from ideas and concepts to selection of fabrics, patterns and design sketches, tjanting and dyeing batik process.

One of the important aspects of the programme is to create quality products with the potential to acquire international recognition and branding.

“This is to ensure consistency and quality of handicraft production that can meet local and international demand,” Dayang said.

In addition to hands-on training, the trainees are given exposure and guidance on various aspects of batik production, how to obtain batik materials as well as marketing concept and entrepreneurship.

“KYS provide skills in theoritical and practical entrepreneurship to enable trainees to become independent when starting their own business,” she added.

Realising that entrepreneurship could be competitive, she said KYS had engaged a well-known local fashion designer, Salikin Sidek, to share his experience in the fashion business.

Salikin will go to campus in Kota Kinabalu every month to help the trainees acquire more batik knowledge and expose them to the fashion industry.

HANDS-ON TRAINING: A trainer applying finishing touches to a batik painting.

The KYS batuk programme offers five types of skills — batik chemical (process Indonesia); batik nature (nature and use of the staining process); batik painting; batik Malaysia (canting and batik print/ cop) and block manufacturing batik/cop.

A total of 175 trainees have now enrolled in the batik programme where batik skills could be imparted to trainees between six and 12 months.

The programme seeks to empower the local handicraft industry and further enhance the socio-economic development of the community.

It also aims to train the youth in the craft and tap the potential of the industry by upgrading the quality of production to penetrate the international market.

Most of trainers are from Indonesia with the rest from Terengganu and Sabah.

“We are all aware Indonesian batik has its own aesthetic values. So, I invite trainers from Indonesia to share their expertise in the manufacturing of batik. When the trainees are given greater exposure, they will get more ideas on producing batik designs with their own identity,” Dayang said, adding that the College encouraged pupils to make their own designs or patterns highlighting local elements.

MALAYSIAN BATIK: The batik fashion show at Perda-Tech Institute in Prai, Penang.

The batik programme was designed by Dayang after making a study on the suitability and potential of batik products in the state.

After learning from batik and handicraft operators in peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia, KYS started its handicrafts skills programme in October 2011 with a total of 250 trainees.

The handicrafts skills programme started with handicraft training funds channelled through Yayasan Sabah Group.

The fund is an initiative under the Special Programme for Sabah Bumiputera Minorities (Government Transformation Programme) by the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) under the Prime Minister’s Department.

Meanwhile, local trainer Ira Idayu said he was happy that through the programme, he got to showcase the batik designs, created by him and his colleagues, during the fashion show at Perda-Tech Institute in Prai, Penang.

The 24-year-old from the Kinabatangan district has completed the basic training and been appointed by KYS as an apprentice.

In that role, he trains new students for the Master Craftsman certificate over a period of six months. After qualifying, trainees can use work in the industry

The programme is now being carried out at Campus Batik Handicrafts Likas KYS. The works of traineers are showcased at the Likas Campus Gallery and Gallery KYS, as well as at the Sabah Handicraft Centre in Keningau.

KELVIN THAM: A young betta fish breeder.

The 17-year-old started collecting and selling betta fish since the age of 13. He said he now has a better understanding on how to breed the species, known by locals as fighting fish.

“Before, my supplier never told me the exact gender of the fish and very often, I got the opposite of what I wanted,” he said after the recent Kuching Betta Group Competition 2013.

“They swapped the males with the females. It was rather difficult during those days because I was young and naive about breeding fish — until a supplier from Thailand taught me how to identify the right gender and how to breed them properly.”

Kelvin now breeds more than 60 types of palkat betta fish and he will continue with the process to produce more species through genetic breeding.

He said the lifespan of an adult fish is about a year or more and the fish can breed at three and a half months old.

“To keep the fish healthy, you have to exercise it 10 minutes after feeding and to do so, you need to put another betta fish in a bottle next to the one you intend to exercise,” he said.

“The fish will respond by flaring it fins and moving around actively.”

Kelvin hopes more people will show interest in rearing betta fish in Kuching and is optimistic his group of betta fish breeders and enthusiasts will expand.

“I intend to officially register the group so that we can recruit members to form a bigger body. I also encourage young people to take up rearing and breeding betta fish as a hobby and get cose to aquatic life and nature. I think it’s more worthwhile than playing IT games,” he reckoned.

According to him, there are now 20 people in his group — mostly youngsters, including seven girls.

POPULAR BREED: A half-moon Betta fish.

He said it’s not very expensive to rear betta fish and like any form of hobby, ethusiasm is needed for it to grow.

“I had thought about rearing and breeding exotic shrimps but it didn’t work. I think rearing betta fish is better,” he added.

To get people interested in Betta fish, Kelvin and his group recently organised the Kuching Betta Group Competition 2013 at Boulevard Shopping mall for the first time.

Participants from all over Malaysia and Indonesia came over to compete and Kelvin invited his fellow beta fish enthusiasts from Peninsular Malaysia to do the judging.

“The competition was a success. I will try to get more funds to organise a bigger competition at the end of the year — no fixed date yet,” he said.

The young fish breeder has turned his hobby into a small but lucrative business and been exporting his fish to the US for US$15 each.

“It’s quite taxing actually as there are documents to submit to the Customs, Agriculture and Veterinary Departments in compliance with export regulations,” he revealed.

It takes about a week for a consignment to reach the US and so far, Kelvin has not encountered any major export problems.

“The fish can survive for a week without food — so by the time it reaches the destination, it’s still healthy.”

Kelvin sells RM60 per fish for grade A and B in the local market.

He said there are six types of betta fish, commonly bred by local enthusiasts and among them are plakat, half moon, crown tail, dumbo, giant and big ear.

GREEN MONTAGE: The stunning view seen from Bung Tesen.

The montage of the various and vibrant greens reflected the multiple uses of the land. The pale lime greens of the newly-transplanted rice fields, as well as the dense greens of fields in fallow and the forest/orchards of the Bidayuh communities.

The outline of the distant mountains rose sharply as we gazed towards the border between Sarawak and Kalimantan, Indonesia. Rounded sandstone and sharp rising limestone hills dotted the landscape. It was a kaleidoscope of biologically diverse ecological niches.

Bung Tesen and Bung Jagoi are popular destinations. A secondary school group had recently been to the summit and had left behind a sign indicating that the climb had been a motivational event to encourage the students to excel in their Form 3 examinations.

My reasons for the jaunt were probably different but I appreciated that the climb builds the spirit and the sense of success. This, as well as the proximity of Bung Tesen and Bung Jagoi to Kuching, coupled with refreshingly clean air and the cultural importance, draw urbanites from the security of our climate-controlled homes and buildings.

Bung Tesen is very open with stunted trees and a thick undergrowth of ferns crowds the sandy trail. However, the forest changed as we made our way down to Jagoi village. The trees were taller and fully shaded the forest floor, thus the riot of ferns that were seen at the lookout point were missing. The forest, however, is more than trees and I was reminded of the cliche of not being able to see the trees for the forest.

Jagoi, the mother village for the ones encircling the hill, is nestled along a gentle slope and exudes aloneness. The close weather-worn houses step down the gentle slope. The newness of the baruk, head house, contrasts dramatically with the rest of the village. The cone-shaped ceremonial baruk, which looks like a sun hat, is built on a raised platform that stands about a metre off the ground. In the past, young unmarried men would sleep there.

Several human skulls, which are cared for by two elderly caretakers, are kept in a small specially-built house just behind the baruk.

A well-used trail leads from Jagoi to Duyoh, our starting point for the hike up. It descends steadily through forest (or forest orchards) created through the workings of nature and man, as the surrounding communities have shaped the landscape.

During fruit season, the heavily-laden trees are visible even to the untrained eye. The large green peanut-shaped cempedak hung precariously off the trunk asking to be plucked. Cempedak (Artocarpus integer) is a member of the Moraceae family and is closely related to the well-known and extensively used jackfruit. It has a strong odour, smelly to some, but there is tasty yellow flesh surrounding the seeds.

Dabai (Canarium odontophllum), a native to Sarawak, is a member of the Burseraceae family. There are over 70 species and all are found in the tropics or subtropics. These evergreen trees with pinnate leaves can reach 40 to 50 metres in height.

Although it is not related to olives, this fruit is also called the Sibu olive. This nutrient rich dark purple or black fruit, which tastes a bit like an avocado, is a sought-after delicacy in Sarawak. This is an example of a native species that has been encouraged and even planted. Once the fruit season is over, these majestic trees to the unskilled become just another tree in the jungle.

Many naturally occurring forest trees are utilised by the surrounding communities in a range of ways from firewood, to food to a trade item. One example is jelutong (Dyera costulata), a relatively common tree in the lowland rainforests of Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra and Southern Thailand.

It has been extensively harvested for its attractive wood and surprisingly latex from this tree was used to make chewing gum. This was such a valuable non-timber product at the start of the 20th century that the tree was, in Sarawak, protected.

This tree, which can reach 60 metres, has several distinguishing features. The smooth whitish grey bark can with age be discoloured from the resin. The straight bole is topped with a fluffy cloud-like crown and the large leaves radiate from the tips of the branch. It is a striking and easily recognisable tree in the jungle.

Enkabang or Illipe nut (Shorea macrophylla) is a member of the Dipterocarpaceae family and is native to Borneo. The seeds of the members of this family are winged and look and fly like miniature helicopters.

A fine oil can be produced by the large heart-shaped seeds. It was in the past collected for use in the cosmetics industry and to make fine chocolate. It was also used for cooking.

This tree can be found in lowland forests but seldom in forests that are above 600 metres in altitude. This is another example of a tree that produces important non-timber products.

As we trekked downwards back to our cars and Kuching, we knew that we had reconnected with nature. Humans are part of the natural environment and our actions influence the world around us and the world around us influences us. We need to be connected to this natural world, to appreciate that we need to be at one. Many people believe that the present generation are caretakers of the world for the next and that the world must be handed over in a better condition than how it was received.

These trees along with durian merge with the other trees of the forest and the work of man becomes intertwined with that of Mother Nature.

Fore more information refer to ‘Dayak Bidayuh Community Rituals, Ceremonies and Festivals’ by Patrick Rigep Nuek.

The Malaysian Nature Society

Established in the 1940, the Malaysian Nature Society is the oldest scientific and non-governmental organisation in Malaysia. Our mission is ‘to promote the study, appreciation, conservation and protection of Malaysia’s nature heritage’. Our 5,000-strong membership, spread across 12 branches nationwide, come from all walks of life, bound by a common interest in nature. For further information on membership or our activities in Kuching, call Kwan on 019-8349499. For information on our activities in Miri, call Nazeri Abghani on 085-453185. You can also visit www.mns.org.my or
http://mnskuching@blogspot.com.

JUST ENOUGH: A narrow stretch of road in the kampung.

Because this village has such an interesting and painful past, many of the people I spoke to insisted on keeping their names private.

The events surrounding the formation of this village are still fairly sensitive as they relate to the riots of May 13, 1969. And to avoid the “disruption of national security”, one has a duty to respect the privacy of the Kampung Chempaka residents.

Most visitors to this village such as Mariam (not her real name) said walking through its streets brought back memories of life in Sibu back in the 1950’s – children playing in the streets, men scootering along small pathways, balancing loads heavier than the vehicles themselves, and several wooden homes still maintaining the architecture that Sibu people grew up with.

You might even feel it was almost like stepping into a time warp – this little village can transport you into a Petaling Jaya that is slower and more laidback – unlike the nearby concrete jungles where people seem to be rushing pell-mell for everything amidst the ever mounting ferocity of the rat race.

The narrow streets of Kampung Chempaka are full of advertisement banners, hanging from the walls and fences of makeshift homes.

The sight of these fluttering posters, bearing the message that the Winter Solstice was around the corner, usually indicates the imminent onset of Chinese New Year.

The most interesting of these banners was one advertising a special event – The Eating of Tang Yuen by the Largest Number of People for the Malaysian Book of Records.

Like it or not, these age-old traditions have been eroded by modernity and consumerism but they do uphold one traditional value – love among the community and the gathering of the masses.

Popular food outlet

TASTY: These special bird’s nest open steamed buns or baos fetch RM4.50 apiece.

Heong Kee Pau, a tim sum outlet, is very popular among the locals, selling Chinese steamed buns (paus or dumblings) for many years now. Like most such businesses in the peninsula, the outlet is now run by workers from Myanmar. The buns are usually sold by late afternoon.

In fact, the buns are so popular that they are also distributed to other areas around Petaling Jaya. Apparently, Heong Kee does mass produce its dumplings, judging by the stack of bamboo steamers at one corner of the shop.

As he lifted up each layer of a bamboo steamer, a worker regaled customers with the scrumptious contents inside – siew mais, char siew pau, pork pau and the bird’s nest bao, a special favourite.

The bird’s nest bao gets its name from its shape – a regular pau stuffed with glutinous rice in the centre. It’s a match made in heaven for dumpling lovers. Think about your favourite loh mai kai (chicken in glutinous rice), surrounded by soft and springy steamed buns. Even the thought of it makes one drool.

The bird’s nest bao go for RM4.50 apiece but have not reached the shores of East Malaysia yet. The glutinous rice in the centre is just like the cherry on top of a Sundae (ice cream).

Not far from Heong Kee, down a small potholed lane (where two cars can narrowly pass each other with very careful and polite manouvring), there is a boarded up wooden cinema.

A resident, Ah Kong (not his real name), explained the cinema was once well-patronised but its business was killed by the video rental business being popularised in the early 90’s.

Like many relics, this cinema is likely to be torn down in the next year or so – a sign that development is an on-going process in Kampung Chempaka.

There are many more such villages in and around Selangor, and Kampung Chempaka is just one living example of how united communities can thrive amidst the push and pull of development.

No indication

Unlike in Sarawak, there are no indications you will be entering a kampung in the peninsula. And when it comes to the villages of Petaling Jaya, you literally stumble upon them and get transported into another era after taking just a few steps from the commercial area.

The sight of modern structures is inevitable but it’s hard to feel the pace of life and notice the mannerisms of the locals without a tinge of nostalgia.

Developers are prone to pushing idyllic communities into the fast lane of development. As such, it’s indeed nice to see Kampung Chempaka being eased into modernity at its own pace.

Many villages like Kampung Chempaka lie hidden behind or between commercial development in Selangor. Time will tell whether things will change for the kampung and its community. Will they be assimilated into the burgeoning concrete jungle like everything and everyone else in the cities of Selangor?

One can only hope the bamboo steamers and Chinese tuckshops will survive the test of time. We must all imagine (and hope) that the people who stay behind in the Kampung Chempaka are sitting on a pot of gold.

And when the time comes to strike while the iron is hot, many of them will become instant millionaires. Perhaps, this is their plan and we must admire them for their farsightedness.

Thousand resettled families

CINEMA: This worn down movie house used to provide entertainment to the villagers in the later part of the last century.

The village, known as Chien Bai Jia (a thousand families) in the area was started in 1969 after the historical black incident in Malaysia. The May 13 riots which caused much fear and mutual suspicion eventually led to the resettlement of a thousand families to this part of Petaling Jaya.

Though some families had lost loved ones, they have largely forgotten about the disturbances with the socio-economic progress that has since taken place. But despite everything, they still remember to stick together and forge lasting relationships.

“I lost two children in the riots but the memories have faded away,” said one Mr Ng (not his real name).

Having moved on, he said life hadn’t been so bad because the children within the community eventually went to school and played in the streets.

“My children have moved to Puchong to be near their business outlets,” he added.

Everyone moved away in the 80’s, exclaimed one lau pan (shopkeeper).

According to him, the community today is made up of only the older generation – those who have gotten used to the rundown conditions of the village.

“We meet up with our friends in the coffeeshops and talk about the floods, poor sewage and rubbish collection. But these are just some of our usual problems.”

In some ways, the village is catching up with the times in terms of food and architecture. But the roads are still not properly paved and straightened out, and the market looks rather rundown. The new generation of the original settlers are trying their best to make the place a little better.

The everyday struggle with solid waste is still a big problem – like anywhere in Malaysia – and potholes are to be avoided when driving through the many lanes. The coming general election might perhaps change things. But for now, life goes on along the potholed streets.

Serenity at Chinese temple

The local council is making every effort to improve the village. Despite rundown conditions, Kampung Chempaka is still a peaceful and relaxed place for its elderly population.

This is evident with the Chinese temple – much like an olden day Greecian Agora – where the old folks gather daily. The temple also organises Chinese New Year gatherings annually – a tribute to the people who made the Kampung what it is today.

Over the past few years, the senior citizens had receiving goody bags from the Yeong Leong Beow Association as part of the community’s effort to look after their elderly. The village is now getting ready to celebrate Chinese New Year on Feb 10.

Noted Ms Lim (not her real name), a former Kampung Chempaka resident: “We used to run along the riverbank all the way to the basketball court. That was a really good place for kids. The temple is a good place for my grandparents. I feel the prayers of my people have been answered. We work hard and prosper.

“The gods are merciful. Now I live away – nearer my school. It’s good to come back to the temple every now and then to pray for the souls of my great grandparents and relatives who perished during the May 13 incident. I was just a small kid back then.”

The temple is not as grand as its counterparts across the state of Selangor but one cannot help but feel a certain calm and serenity within its compounds.

Small coils of incense resembling mosquito repellents hang from the ceiling and their smoke, mixing with that from the joss sticks below, rise willowily towards the temple roof.

One can imagine the emission reaching up to the gods, making them smile at the supplications from the kampung residents for a rosier future.

SERENE: The resort seen from the beach.

Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort is one local establishment that boasts fantastic view, accommodation as well as friendly service.

As with all five-star set-ups, the Resort promises the best in terms of facilities with sea, sun, sand and more to boot.

Rasa Ria has 416 guest rooms and suites. The Garden Wing offers a private lane to all ground-level rooms, making the Resort accessible through the Garden while the other floors have balconies.

For best of comforts, the Ocean Wing offers 90 premier rooms with a private outdoor bathtub and sweeping views of the sea and lush gardens.

According to the general manager Randy Zupanski, the 326 rooms at the Garden Wing has undergone a US$20 million refurbishment.

The lobby also had a major refurbishment and now features new decorations and furniture, making it more comfortable and spacious for guests to relax.

Other refurbishments include ethnic style artworks with modern facilities such as wall-mounted widescreen TVs linked to international satellite channels, and complimentary Wi-Fi and broadband connectivity.

The fitness centre has also been improved with a bigger exercise area where health buffs can enjoy the view of the hotel’s garden landscape while working out.

New lounge deck chairs and daybeds have been placed near the swimming pool and the beach fronting the sea. The pool has also been ‘fun-added’ with a “double-s” slide.

NEAT: A room at the Garden Wing

A walk round the premises reveals several other areas that have received a touch-up, mostly with water and fire features.

There is a foundation in the garden at the porte cochère, and even the lobby staircase has a waterfall cascading down a wall.

The Rasa Ria, it seems, is not stopping there but is now carrying out more construction at the porte cochère.

“The Ocean Wing will be augmented to accommodate more guests in the premier rooms,” Randy said, adding that when the construction is completed next year, 81 more rooms will be added to the Resort.

He pointed out that the gardens would not be affected as the new construction had been planned properly.

The 400 acres of gardens and the rooms overlooking a vista of white sands and surf will stay as they always have — as places to relax and enjoy fine cuisines and beverages at the seven restaurants and bars.

There will even be a new restaurant by 2014 to be launched together with the new premier accommodation.

Situated amid the lush tropical vegetation and crystal clear seas of Pantai Dalit, Tuaran, Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort is about 40 minutes from Kota Kinabalu International Airport and 35 minutes’ drive from the city’s shopping and commercial district.

The Resort has been complimented by many visitors through tripadvisor for its top class ambience.

With the refurbishment of more existing facilities and the upcoming Ocean Wing premier accommodation, more such postive feedback can be expected.

They are temporary art forms, painted on the human skin, lasting only several hours or a few days — and have been used in special film effects to portray a cut or a wound on the actors.

The skills are honed over a period of time to ensure the authenticity of the effects produced.

A phoenix

For talented Mohd Sharizan Tahir, 18, these skills come quite naturally.

“I’m the eldest in a family of seven children and mostly on my own. I usually look around for something to do to occupy my time. I like playing with colours, so I draw on papers and colour them up all the time,” he said.

Sometimes he also paints on himself.

He excelled in drawing and colouring in primary school. When he enrolled in Form One at Sanzac Secondary School, the 18-year-old from Sembulan, Sabah, was recognised for his good eye for colours as well as his drawing and colouring skills.

He was asked by the teachers to create murals in the school hall. He came up with some attractive designs together with three of his friends “and we’re very proud of our work.”

From then on, decorating the stage for school events became his specialty – something he really enjoyed doing.

“The teachers trusted me with this assignment until I left school after Form Five,” he recalled.

After leaving school, he began looking seriously into make-up and make-over as a career. He learned the ropes by watching the professionals at work, TV programmes and reading up on the subject.

He also put his “raw artistic talents” to good use.

For instance, he emphasises the softness of strong angles on squarish faces by using darker shades, and highlights the cheekbones on longish faces.

A supernatural being

He also learned to apply make-up for casual outings, evening wear and weddings, becoming so good at it that he is now promoting his services on Facebook, and has been to Manila, the Philippines, to promote his trade.

“Getting paid for something I love doing is a bonus,” he shared.

At first, his parents were not too keen on his chosen career path but after they came to know he could generate income with his skills, they relented and even bought him make-up paraphernalia.

Later, he became interested in body arts.

“I’m naturally curious, so I tried it on myself first. For instance, if I wanted to create a wound on my face, I would use paints to do it. Tissue papers and the right artistic combination of colours can create a zombie look, or something similarly scary.”

Sharizan can now create body arts that depict Nature, animals and other-worldly landscapes. He hopes one day to work in the film industry as a make-up artist.

For now, he is available for creating special effects during Halloween and special occasions besides the usual make-up for brides.

When not doing make-up and special effects, he dances with a contemporary dance group, led by Esther Applonious.

“We choreograph our own dances and perform all over the state — and outside as well through invitation,” he said.

His cherished dream is to open a studio that specialises in “all forms of artistic creations” – from weddings to special effects.

He also hopes to set up a hub that offers the services of dancers and performers.

He agrees it is a grand dream but believes he has a lot of years to achieve it, especially with support from friends, families and financial bodies.

“Artistic expressions pay,” he said.

SPECIAL EFFECTS: Painted-on cuts.

Ivy (left) with her colleagues.

Some will be able work in their chosen fields while some will settle for “training on the job.” There are others who will struggle to get a job — much to their own and their parent’s chagrin.

Public relations officer Ivy Stanislaus who has worked with Sutera Harbour Resort in Sabah for 10 years, believes if job seekers have out-going personalities, self-confidence and good grooming habits, they can look at public relations seriously as a career.

“Those who choose public relations should be enthusiastic and able to function as a team and open to new ideas,” she said.

Not that she has always been a PR person — and she will readily admit it was more a case of “the job choosing her.”

“I was exploring a variety of jobs — from being an English teacher, a radio presenter, an event planner to an admin personnel.

“I was just not fully satisfied with the earlier choices. And I finally found my forte when I was offered a position in public relations with Sutera Harbour Resort.”

Her main interest in the job actually stems from the fact that it includes many different activities under the umbrella of public relations, including publicity, promotion, advertising, fund-raising, and media relations.

“Being a PR person, I know, for certain, that the job is quite challenging and the work never ends.

“PR involves answering enquiries from individuals, journalists and organisations; preparing press releases, articles, corporate brochures and videos, slide presentation; organising press conferences, exhibitions, foreign media tours; writing and editing in-house journals; creating and maintaining useful contacts; planning and initiating PR campaigns,” she explained.

According to Ivy, a public relations career appears glamorous as it often involves working with influential people such as celebrities or politicians.

The job, as she pointed out, also requires working closely with the graphic team to come up with eye-catching artworks.

“To do this, brainstorming with the creative director is essential for good marketing promo.”

Ivy (right) with local DJ Othoe and her colleagues.

Those interested in public relations have to be alert and think quickly on their feet, possess a good sense of humour, a flair for grasping and retaining information as well as the ability to hold their own in a conversation.

She said confident people presented themselves gracefully in any given situation and would rise above the mediocre PRs.

“A successful PR must have excellent written and verbal communications skills and be able to deal with a number of different tasks at one time.

“They have to be creative, persuasive, persistent and versatile and have the nose for a good story and the talent to craft articles,” she shared.

“A day in the life of a PR consists of, among others, reading the local newspapers and running through the social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

“I subscribe to Times, Forbes, BBC and CNN to keep abreast of current affairs. I run through my emails (replying immediately where necessary), look at my appointments and finally, my next deadlines,” she added.

Ivy has since left the Resort as a PR after working there for 10 years. She said she thoroughly enjoyed her work and was involved in many successful activities that served as a continuous learning curve for her as the PR of the Resort.

“I would consider the success in collecting funds for the Sutera Harbour 7K Sunset Charity Run and helping to promote the PCA Annual Charity Dinner and Show as the high points of my career at the Resort.

“These two activities are special to me because they helped support the under-privileged and it was while doing the marketing campaigns for these projects that I discovered myself and learned to appreciate and be thankful for what I have.”

Running her own PR agency now, she believes a “very long and strenuous journey” lies ahead but she is looking forward to it with confidence, faith and optimism that she has chosen the right path.

As her own boss, she said she can now do what she likes best — such as surfing the Internet, meeting new people and entertaining.

Of Dusun descent, she is very down to earth and goes to traditional and night markets in the state.

Her advice to budding PR staff and personnel is to polish their writing skills through reading, learn more vocabularies, enroll with a Toastmaster Club to learn public speaking and be always properly attired — neat and well-groomed.

“Also aim to master the English language and Bahasa Malaysia. The ability to speak other foreign languages is a plus,” she said.

FORGOTTEN HERO: Awang (centre) flanked by Johari (left) and PGB recipient Dajai Angie.

No doubt, Awang, a former Iban tracker with the Sarawak Rangers, was given a gallantry award — the George Cross — by British Commonwealth for saving the life of a fellow soldier during a seek-and-destroy operation against insurgents in Kluang, Johor, on May 27 1951.

Because of his status, he was accorded the privilege to dine with the British monarch, members of the Royal family and British national leaders – (supposedly) once every two years.

He has also been receiving a monthly pension of about £100 (RM680) from the British government since 1963.

The Malaysian government only started giving him a monthly allowance of RM2,000 quite recently. For some, this is a sign of better things to come for the veteran jungle scout.

Awang is a farmer and longhouse chieftain at Rumah Awang in Ulu Skrang. Humble and unassuming, he never asked for more after returning home from fighting the communist terrorists in then Malaya.

He has also helped his community by donating a piece of his ancestral land for the construction of SK Nanga Skrang in 1961.

Temenggong status

Sarawak Rangers Veteran Association (SRVA) secretary general Captain (Rtd) Mohd Johari Ibrahim said recently Awang deserves Temenggong status since a precedent has been set when the late Temenggong Datuk Kanang Langkau, who was given the titles of Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP) and Pingat Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB), received a monthly allowance of RM3,500 after being appointed Temenggong.

Johari added that if Awang were to be given a datukship eventually by the Malaysian government, it would be a bonus for him but, more importantly, it also befits his status as a war hero.

He revealed Awang had told him that he (Awang) liked to have a house in Sri Aman.

“It’s not too late to give him the recognition he deserves. Let him have the opportunity to at least appreciate the honour during his remaining years. Don’t wait until he is no longer with us,” Johari pointed out.

He said SRVA was now working closely with Senior Minister and Minister of Social Development Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom on this.

“Awang Raweng also became a member of the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) out of respect for Tan Sri (Mawan, the SPDP president).”

Source of pride

Johari believed the state government or the relevant authority should apply to the Johor state government “to do something for Awang” as the heroics of the veteran tracker happened in Johor.

“It should be a government-to-government matter. As an association, SRVA can only recommend. I feel as a veteran myself, it is a source of great pride to have seen one among us appointed as Temenggong and conferred a datukship (referring to Kanang).

“My appeal to the government is that due recognition be also given to Awang Raweng for his gallantry in defending the sovereignty of the then Malaya.”

Johari believed Awang should have been accorded the same privileges as the late Kanang who was an icon in Malaysia and who was also given a state funeral on his passing.

“Both Kanang and Awang received the highest gallantry awards. Kanang received the SP and PGB and a monthly allowance of RM3,500 from the Malaysian government while Awang received the George Cross from the British Commonwealth but got his RM2,000 monthly allowance only lately.

“Kanang was a Temenggong and a datuk while Awang is just a tuai rumah (longhouse chieftain). Protocolwise, Kanang sat next to the Yang di Pertuan Agong. But what is there for Awang?

“If a precedent has been created, can we not do something for Awang Anak Raweng? He is a humble man and willing to help people by almost sacrificing his own life in battle. There is a void left by Kanang upon his demise. Let Awang fill it – that’s SRVA’s appeal,” Johari said.

He pointed out that Awang’s heroics could not be measured by ringgit and sen as they were carried out to safeguard national security and for the love of country.

Fighting the enemy

According to Wikipedia, Awang was awarded the George Cross for gallantry as recorded in the London Gazette on Nov 20, 1951.

He was attached to 10 Platoon ‘D’ Company, First Battalion Worcestershire Regiment in Malaya when their jungle patrol was attacked by 50 communist terrorists in Kluang, Johor, of then Malaya.

Two platoon members — the leading scout and the section commander — were killed while Awang was wounded in the left thigh.

Despite his injury, he pulled Private Griff Hughes to cover and then returned fire, repulsing attempts by the terrorists to advance, despite getting hit again – this time in the right arm — in the firefight that ensued.

Surrounded and injured, Awang clasped a grenade in his left hand and dared the terrorists to attack. He held out for 40 minutes, forcing the terrorists to pull back, and saved Private Hughes’ life.

Against overwhelming odds, Awang stood by his injured platoon mate and continued fighting until reinforcement arrived.

His citation concluded: “So resolute was his demeanour that the bandits, who had maintained their attacks for some 40 minutes, and who were now threatened by the other sections, withdrew.

“The coolness, fortitude and offensive spirit displayed by Awang anak Rawang were of the highest order. Despite being twice severely wounded, he showed the utmost courage and resolution to continue the fight and protect the injured soldier.”

Awang is now the state’s sole surviving George Cross recipient.

Neglect of sorts

Last year, Mawan acknowledged that the exemplary warrior, who helped defend the Malayan Union against the communists in the 1950’s, had been neglected of sorts.

“We don’t want to be accused of being uncaring, so my ministry will try to look into how best we can help improve his livelihood, especially when many others seemed to have enjoyed better treatment than he.

“We want to show that the government really cares about gallantry award recipients because if we are not caring enough, the young people will not be inspired in defending the country,” the minister said.

He pointed out that it was rather unfortunate the former Iban tracker had not been given recognition like the holders of PGB.

“I was told he was seldom invited to federal and state historical ceremonies except Commonwealth events. So for him to only receive the gallantry award from Great Britain and not the federal and state governments is something we are going to look into.”

One of the ways the government could help the forgotten war hero, Mawan explained, was to build a proper road to his longhouse in Nanga Skrang, Sri Aman, apart from upgrading his wooden house, built near his longhouse by the government through the Defence Ministry in 2006.

The minister said he would discuss with the State Secretary whether George Cross recipients could be included in the state’s invitation list.

Out of courtesy and respect, Awang should also be invited as a guest during state ceremonies, such as Independence Day and National Day because now, only PGB recipients are usually invited, noted Mawan, who is also Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) president.

Awang was lucky because 21 other Iban trackers did not return alive from their tours of duty in then Malaya.

Buried for many years at various cemeteries in peninsular Malaysia, their remains were exhumed in 2011 and returned to Sarawak as part of Ops Mai Pulai (Operation Home Coming).

They were reburied at a cemetery at the World War II Heroes Memorial in Kuching.

SHARING THE LOAD: A father and his child carrying equipment to their car at closing time.

Keeping the new market, adjacent to Kubah Ria just across the Satok Bridge, open and operating efficiently is important for both the traders and the communities the market serves.

First, sound management is necessary to handle such a huge market, covering 12.25 acres and occupied by over 1,000 traders.

Secondly, a good marketing strategy should be part of the plan for this open market which is a historic and cultural icon since its days at the old Satok site – not only as a tourist draw but also a place to promote local produce.

Thirdly, the authority concerned needs to improve the facilities and amenities fast so that traders can settle in and focus on their businesses without unnecessary delay.

After all, this open market is a distinct part of our culture and a unique feature of Kuching city that must be preserved. It reflects the charms of our diverse cultures and traditions – from the residents in and around the state capital to the agricultural commodities they ply at the market.

As such, there is more to be done to make the new market a place for visitors, especially travellers, to have a unique Kuching experience – one that entails much more than just shopping.

STANDARDISED: Prominent features at the new open market are red umbrellas and table covers.

thesundaypost spoke to the licensed stallholders and weekend traders, mostly from the old Satok market, to find out what they thought about their new trading place.

Organic farmer Morgan Chua said all issues – from management, operation, marketing to trading – should have been sorted out before moving the traders in.

“It’s also compulsory for all traders to buy a Medan Niaga Satok shade umbrella for RM150 and a table cover for RM20.

“Forking out RM170 to buy these items will burden the traders from the lower income group. They can’t possibly afford it,” the 25-year-old said.

Chua pointed out that it was a hassle for the traders to carry the umbrella and the table cover from their homes, mostly on the outskirts, either by public transport or their own motorcycles all the way to the market.

“We are only there to trade at weekends,” he reasoned.

Chua, who has been helping at his parents’ stall at the old Satok Sunday Market since he was a kid, sells locally grown organic vegetables and fruits at the new market.

FAMA can help

A young businessman himself, he said the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (FAMA), as the government’s marketting arm for agricultural products, should help promote the fresh vegetables, fruits and other greens produced by the local traders.

“The vegetables I sell come from our organic farm in Siburan area. I’ve done a lot of research on organic farming and I think FAMA should help us market our produce.

“FAMA could, for instance, do a theme day to introduce, promote and market our products or organise events and activities to make the atmosphere livelier in order to attract more people and tourists as well as strengten its own market position,” he suggested.

Chua said business was very competitive at the new market as traders were grouped in sections according to their licence category.

“We can only sell fruits if we applied for licence under that category – and maybe a small amount of veggies. So the competition is intense, considering we are placed in one area.

“Why not create a mixed zone where traders of dry foods, vegetables and fruits can be grouped together. It is convenient for customers too – they don’t have them to go round the whole market to find what they need.”

Chua also said safety of customers and traders must be made top priority, pointing out that the design of the new market seems to be lacking on this aspect.

“Vehicles of weekend traders can access the trading area located in the carpark which has no designated walking pavements. This is dangerous – people have to give way all the time,” he noted.

Teething problems

Jerry John, a trader of more than 10 years, said although the subject of relocation and other related issues had been extensively publicised and explained, “we know it will never be plain sailing.”

“We anticipated a lot of inconveniences but we try to be patient. We are here to do small business and make a living and we hope to maintain our customer base as well.”

On the first week of trading, he said business was a bit slow as their regular customers had to locate them at their new trading spot (rented for RM10 per month).

According to him, double registration of names at some of the trading areas had caused some confusion.

“With so many applications to process, hiccups were only to be expected.”

Jerry also learned that some long-time traders from the old Satok Sunday Market had applied to carry on their business at the new site but were not approved and they had to find a new place to sell their goods.

Insufficient facilities

Another problem, highlighted by Jerry, is the solitary unloading bay. This is clearly insufficient as wholesalers who arrived with goods in small lorries had to join a long queue before they could unload and start trading, hence wasting a lot of time for them and the other traders.

“What happens is that while the wholesalers awaited their turn to clear their goods, their lorries had to be parked on our trading spots. Even though we came in the wee hours of the morning, we could set up our stalls and tents only after the unloading was done. By then, it was almost 8am – whereas business should have started hours ago,” he explained.

He noted that the one-entrance-one-exit system was a great drawback compared to the old Satok Sunday Market which had multiple arrival and department points, providing more flexibility and convenience to both traders and shoppers alike.

Apart from having to pay for the shade umbrella and table cover, traders also have to pay DBKU a RM50 deposit for rubbish collection, according to Jerry. However, he has no idea if a monthly charge will be levied.

He also finds it difficult to get something to eat at the new market early in the morning because the eateries in the vicinity are still close – unlike the old Satok Sunday Market where food outlets were always there to cater for the traders, and the public who came early to get fresh goods.

Improvised table mat

Jerry’s neighbour, a woman who has been selling jungle produce for the last 10 years at the old market, was seen using an improvised table mat.

Instead of buying the table cover, Julia Mesing made her own table mat with bamboo slats strung together with ropes.

“This is light to carry around and can be easily rolled up for storage. Since it’s already a hassle having to keep the table and tent, and lug them into my small car, I thought this will be easier.”

Asked if there was any storage facility, she said: “Yes but we have to rent it. So I prefer bringing the table and tent home because I don’t know if it is safe to keep them in the store.”

CREATIVE: Julia Mesing makes her own table mat with bamboo slats strung together with ropes.

Better drainage needed

Fishmonger Mohd Faizul, a permanent trader at the wet market section, said he had no problems trading – just that the waste water from his stall discharges freely on the market floor as there is no drain.

“So it affects those traders behind me. The waste water produces a strong stench of fish which is not really pleasant for them or anyone.

“Luckily, they understand the present situation but we want the authority concerned to do something – like providing proper facilities to drain the waste water and ease the stench,” he suggested.

Shamsul Bakri who operates the X-Army Terubok Fish stall, said the stall was a bit small and the counter where the goods are displayed, needed minor modifications.

“At first, the authority concerned allowed us to modify the stall but recently, we were issued a letter by FAMA, saying we cannot do any renovation,” he said while showing reporters the letter.

The former army man suggested more entertainment programmes and exhibitions be organised to make the market more vibrant to attract bigger crowds during weekends.

On the first week, business was good but with a bit of creativity, the place could be further popularised to draw more customers, he said.

Shopper and businesswoman Nurul Adenan who likes the new market, suggested that trolleys be provided for customers.

“The area is so big. We have to park our car so far away. With trolleys, it will be easier to shop around and move our purchases.”

The authority concerned, she said, must be innovative to give the public a different shopping experience – simple, yet adequate.

MOUNTAIN HIGH: Annapurna II (7,937 metre) is seen from Gyaru village.

Just before lunchtime we were at our next stop, the village of Ghyaru (3,670 metres) and were invited to sit next to the fire since we were freezing. They made us a delicious lunch and fabulous apple pie all prepared over a wood fire.

The hotel was a bit spooky but the view was so breathtaking, even though it was cloudy. Annapurna II, across the valley, seemed so near that you could touch it.

The next morning the clear sky and the first sunlight touching Annapurna II’s 7,937-metre summit was spectacular. The colour of the light changed every minute. We stayed two days to enjoy this view since this was the closest you could get to see Annapurna II.

The village was also very interesting but it was clear they live a tough life. The women are so strong. One lady, probably in her 60s or 70s, carried a bag full of potatoes that weighed around 50kg on her back to lower Pisang to sell to the hotel and it took her only one hour to get down.

We also saw them building a room or restaurant and the whole village was helping.

People are very friendly and it’s a Tibetan-style village so it was nice to see all the prayer flags on the high places and stupas high up. The prayer wheels were interesting and you are allowed to pass them only on the right side and while walking they turn the wheels around. Some were made from brass but we’ve also seen them made from old milk tins.

HIGH ALTITUDE: Yaks can climb up as high as 6,100 metres. They tend to live at high altitudes because of their thick coat and vulnerability to diseases. The lungs of yaks are large in order to absorb more oxygen at higher altitudes and they can weigh up to 550kg.

Then we left for Ngawal village at 3,660 metres, going slowly down but the weather was very nice; clear blue sky and no clouds. Suddenly some raptors, Himalayan vultures, came from nowhere and drifted on the swift air currents. They hardly moved their wings so they didn’t need to use lots of energy. They were gone in a split second.

This was spring, the planting season, and that’s why it was still not so colourful, but the cooler weather made it enjoyable to hike. It was so incredible to see all the high mountaintops covered with lots of snow.

The walk downhill was very easy and we enjoyed the spectacular views and suddenly we saw a group of deer grazing in a field below us. Halfway we met a shepherd with his goats going uphill and when I took a picture and showed it to him, he was laughing and couldn’t believe it was him.

We stayed at Braga village (3,450 metres) for the night and it was nice to see the valley from our bedroom window. After Braga, we completed the short walk to Manang village (3,519 metres) where we found a very nice hotel with the most spectacular view from our bedroom windows.

I woke up at 5am just to see the red sunrise starting from the tops of Gangapurna Mountain (7,454 metres). It was freezing and probably around 0 degrees.

My husband continued his trip towards Tilicho Lake, which is at 4,949 metres, the highest lake in the world. Since I knew it would be too cold and tough for me, I stayed behind and enjoyed taking pictures, chatting with the people. I even went to a lecture about altitude sickness, which I didn’t know could be so dangerous.

While my husband was away for a few days, it became colder and started snowing daily in the afternoon around 3pm until late evening. In the dining hall they lit a huge heater and it became so hot that we started moving away from the fire. One day the guys were fed up of using wood and switched to cow dung. This was hilarious because the fuel made shooting sounds inside the heater.

My husband told me that the trip was indeed tough and they had to walk in deep snow on steep slopes. They took nice pictures of yaks in the snow and you can barely see them. He also saw Himalayan blue sheep that are indigenous to the Himalaya mountains at heights higher than 4,000 metres. The lake was also frozen and covered in a thick layer of snow.

My husband, along with his guide and porter, returned in three days and the next day we left Manang. We said goodbye to our new friends and went straight to Humde, which was a whole day’s hike. We saw people carrying heavy loads of firewood, mainly the women and some with small babies that they put in between the heavy load and it must have been around 50kg.

LONG WALK: The trail is seen at 470 metres climbing to Gyaru (3,730 metres).

We stayed two days in Humde before catching the flight back to Pokhara. Fortunately the plane arrived at 8am – this was lucky since it depends on the weather.

The flight was spectacular. We could see the trail we had been hiking and felt a bit sad to leave this behind as we had good memories of walking part of the Annapurna circuit.

DANCE VARIANT: The Pekan variant pictured here has more than two performers. The dance is performed to the accompaniment of the rebana and gongs.

THE state of Pahang or Pahang Darul Makmur has one of the largest river networks in the country.

So not surprisingly, rivers are a lifeline for most of the communities there – and more.

The Pahang River, for instance, has inspired the traditional folklore, culture, history and literature of this southeastern peninsular state.

One dance which has it roots in the Malay communities from the Endau and Pekan Districts is the River Turtle Dance (Tarian Labi-labi, depicting the river turtle found in most of the Asian continent.

Pekan is in Pahang while Endau is in neighbouring Johor.

Turtle symbolism

Locally known as labi-labi, river turtles — or more specifically Malayan river turtles — are fresh water soft-shell reptiles which inhabit most of the rivers throughout Southeast Asia.

To most Malay communities, especially on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia, the river turtle symbolises their culture.

During a Tarian Labi-labi, all eyes will be on four young men imitating the movement of the river turtle — crawling and shifting along slowly on stage.

The dancers wear traditional Malay costumes with a replica shell on their backs. The dance routine requires the dancers to crawl around the stage and bend their bodies while moving their arms like a swimming turtle.

The participants are usually men but women can also perform the dance whose ritual is meant to be comical in nature.

Variations

The dance has a few variations, the most distinctive of which are the ones from Endau and Pekan. Other variations are found in Terengganu and also Kedah.

For the Pekan variant, more than two dancers are involved and the musical instruments used are bamboo drum, rebana, gong, gong kelapa (keketok) and serunai (Malay flute).

For the Endau variant, there is only one dancer performing to the tempo of violin music and gongs.

Whatever the dance variations, the music is played softly as if symbolising the peaceful and calm nature of the water as well as the slow movements of the turtle.

Reactions and opinions

Some first-timers said the Tarian Labi-labi routine was one of the weirdest they ever saw. And to my surprise, even some Pahang residents have never heard about it before.

“It’s a strange dance like most traditional cultural dances in Southeast Asia,” noted Christopher Jeffery Hill from Kuching.

“However, from the performance I witnessed, I did see the similarities between the traditional cultures of Sarawak and Pahang,” he commented after watching the video footage I recorded.

For Abi Suffian of Kuala Lipis, Pahang, the dance is a homage to the river turtle, regarded by his ancestors as a sign of good luck and prosperity — much like the traditional belief of the mainstream Chinese community.

“My people have massive respect for their surroundings. This is typical of Southeast Asian traditional performing arts and cultures where elements of the surroundings are incorporated into their lives,” he added.

Like most traditional performing arts, there is a need to preserve them.

In the case of the River Turtle Dance, there are on-going efforts by the federal and the Pahang state governments to popularise it. One way is to encourage more youngsters to learn the dance.

Community visit

On Jan 5, a delegation from Sarawak and Sabah, including myself, paid a community visit to Pekan, Pahang, at the invitation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. There, the delegates had the opportunity to watch the dance performed by a group of youngsters from Pekan.

Earlier, the delegates witnessed the launch of the 1Malaysia Integration Programme (with Air Asia) in Sepang by the Prime Minister.

After that, the delegates were introduced to the community of Pulau Serai in Pekan — and their cultures as well. It was at this event that the River Turtle Dance was highlighted.

Apart from government efforts, the Internet is also playing a vital role in preserving the dance.

Information and video footages are uploaded on various webistes for those interested in knowing more about Tarian Labi-labi.

Popular websites such as YouTube, Metacafe and Wikipedia serve as good sources of information for this unique performing art.

No matter what the measures taken, all that really matters is that the River Turtle Dance is kept alive for posterity.

RARE BREED: Fishermen like Dola (picture right) is hard to come by these days. Sometimes, Kotak boat owners from Sungai Apong and Bintawa fishing communities have to abandon trips out to sea due to lack of fishermen or helpers.

Kotak fleets are fast vanishing from the mooring areas at the two major kotak fishing villages – Bintawa and Sungai Apong — in the state capital.

During their heyday in the 60’s, it was common to see kotaks – as many as over 300 – clustered along the shores of Sarawak.

Today, these once ubiquitous fishing boats, used predominantly by Henghua fishermen, no longer rule the local fishing grounds. And 10 years down the road, they could well be history.

This is not surprising as there are now only 12 kotaks left in Kuching – two at Bintawa and 10 at Sungai Apong.

Though the number of kotaks is diminishing, the two powerful associations — Kuching Chinese Kotak Association (KCKA) of Bintawa and Sungai Apong Kotak Association of Kuching (SAKAK) — representing the two fishing villages are still very active with members having successfully transitioned from kotak to modern fishermen.

The distinct features of the kotak are not only its rainbow colours but also denoted through its sole usage by the Henghua fishing community, especially in the early days.

Even today, the over-100 strong SAKAK is still 100 per cent Henghua in composition, according to its 53-year-old chairman Lau Hong Joong.

One the other hand, the KCKA has opened its membership to other dialect groups such as the Hakka and Teochew though the percentage is low, revealed its 60-year-old chairman Law Bee Soon. The association now has over 100 members.

When the sea-faring Henghuas from China first landed in Kuching, fishing was not a choice profession but the only resort for Henghua immigrants without skills or education.

“Our forefathers had no choice. Unskilled and illiterate, there was nothing much they could do in terms of jobs. As Kuching is situated not far from the sea, we – like them — all ended up as fishermen,” related Law who has been fishing for the past four decades.

Sporadic migration

The migration of the Henghuas did not come about in bulk but was rather sporadic, spreading over a century before World War II.

Their numbers were not big and they settled down mainly as fishermen along Ban Hock Wharf at Padungan and Petanak areas, living in thatched huts and later wooden houses.

This early Henghua community formed an association — the Fishing Association of Sarawak — at Padungan to help other newcomers settle down and fight to protect their interests.

In 1947, to better represent themselves, the association changed its name to Kuching Chinese Kotak Association. At that time, it only represented the kotak fishermen in Kuching.

In the 60’s when the government reclaimed Petanak for town development, some of the fishermen there moved to Sungai Apong while others stayed behind.

“That gave rise to the Sungai Apong kotak fishing community. The remaining Petanak group eventually also gave way to development by moving to Bintawa in the 60’s and 70’s where they formed the Bintawa fishing community,” Law recalled.

The KCKA did much more than helping Chinese kotak immigrants settle down in Kuching.

Between 1960-70 when the association was at its peak, it helped develop the Sungai Apong and Bintawa fishing villages as well as build schools for the children from the community.

Moving on

Although Law and Lau had been using kotaks for two decades before switching to more modern fishing vessels (with a sharp bow), the transition did not pose them much difficulty. And they do not regret the move at all.

On the kotak, Law said its distinctive feature is the bow which is flat like a box.

“Perhaps, that’s why it is called kotak (box) fishing boat,” he added.

As the bow is flat, the kotak can ride choppy waters better but, as Law pointed out, a flat bow also reduces the speed of the kotak – so it cannot move as fast as vessels with sharp bows which produce less water friction.

“We have made comparisons. The new type of fishing boat is three times faster than the kotak,” said Law who started fishing in the kotak when he was only 17.

Apart from speed, small size is another reason why the kotaks are being abandoned. The modern fishing boats, measuring 60-feet long and 18-feet wide, are twice the size of the kotaks which are just 36-feet long and 10-feet wide.

“With bigger boats, we also have bigger storage for our catch. The kotak is really too small and too slow,” Law said.

However, in the 60’s and 70’s when the kotaks were the workhorse of the Henghua fishing community, even the number of colours painted on the boats was significant.

Last fleet: Only 10 kotaks are left at the Sungai Apong fishing village.

The kotaks from Sungai Apong and Bintawa were distinguished by the number of their colour stripes. The hulls of Sungai Apong kotaks were painted with seven colour stripes that radiated from the centre.

It could be any colour — red, green, black, white, yellow or blue – and arranged according to sequence. For example, red-green-white-yellow-white-green-red.

For the Bintawa fleet, the colours must consist of five shades, of which the first and last must be red.

Kotaks from both communities had a big wooden round eye fixed on each side of the front hull near the bow. And there must also be a sculpture of a fish on each side of the bow as well as that of a white anchor on the flat bow itself.

“The eyes mean clear sight whereby fish can be spotted quickly and clearly. The fish sculptures on both sides of the bow project our hopes for a bountiful catch everytime we go out to sea,” explained Lim Chiew Kek, 56, a fisherman from Sungai Apong and also the last of the kotak fishing boat builders.

Transfer of skills

Lim’s father brought his boat-building skills with him when he migrated from Putian prefecture within Fujian province, China, to Sarawak in the 1930’s.

Eighty per cent of the kotaks which dominated the fishing scene in Sarawak during their heyday were made by the Lim family.

When his father passed away, his boat-building skills were not only inherited by Lim and his brother but also passed down to their Malay employees, some of whom have worked for them for up to five decades.

“Some of our long-time Malay workers also acquired the skills of building kotaks. They were responsible for 20 per cent of the fleet. But like us, they grow old, and when they passed away, there was no one to take over from them.

“The skills of building kotaks will vanish much faster than the boats themselves. The existing ones can last another 10 years. My brother and I have stopped building because there is now no demand.

“Moreover, our children are not picking up the skills because like most children of the kotak fishing communities, they have ventured into other fields,” Lim said.

But not all the children of kotak fishermen have abandoned their families’ boat-building tradition.

William Tan from Sungai Apong is one who has decided to stick to being a fisherman.

He stopped schooling at Form Two to help with his father’s fishing business because they couldn’t hire any workers. And he has been a fisherman ever since and will continue to be.

ONE OF THE OLDEST: Set up as early as 1947, the Kuching Chinese Kotak Association is one of the oldest associations in Sarawak.

“Even though I’m just 20, I have been a fisherman for about six years already. I know the children of most fishermen do not follow in their parents’ footsteps.

“In fact, I’m the only young fisherman in Sungai Apong. It’s hard work but I have no regrets about giving up my studies to be fishermen,” he added.

For veterans like Law, the kotak is already a thing of the past. He sees no point in retaining this fishing boat of yore.

“It’s less effective and practical compared to modern fishing boats,” he said.

HEALTHCARE: A small clinic in the community.

“In those days, no one would want to go there,” recalled an elderly patron of the Sungai Buloh Nursery.

Sungai Buloh was once known as a leprosy settlement with more than 2,000 in-house patients who lived in small cottages.

But today, the place has been developed into a beautiful horticultural nursery centre where people can pick up potted plants or buy cuttings for floral arrangements.

For some, it can be a really good family outing in contrast to places where greens are not commonly available to ordinary citizens of lesser means.

As opposed to the concrete jungles of Kuala Lumpur and most parts of Selangor, Sungai Buloh has become a special place for meditation and reflection.

The Nursery is located just 15 minutes outside Petaling Jaya and acts as a garden village where one can find rows and rows of orchids and potted plants for sale.

It is also home to the owners who have been living there for more than 30 years.

The owners consist of a racially united group of Malaysians who work each day to ensure the garden village develops into its full potential of beauty.

The Sungai Buloh nurseries form an L-shape area leading from the main road to the Sungai Buloh Leprosy Centre.

There used to be hundreds of these nurseries or outlets. But today, about 50 are left because many have been moved to the Subang Centre due to development in this area.

Many are expecting to be moved out as their contemporaries have been.

“When the time comes, we will move,” one of owners said.

This is a reflection of the effects of politically influenced relocations of the nurseries that have occurred over the past three years.

The Sungai Buloh Garden Centre or Village has a remarkable history and many of generations Y and X have no clue of its existence.

Leprosy settlement

In 1930, the Sungai Buloh Leprosy Settlement was set up and said to be the largest and most modern leprosairum in the British Commonwealth.

This remarkable settlement was designed by the British doctor Enrest Travers and Sir George Maxwell, the then Chief Secretary of FMS, using what is known as a very humane policy.

The British had seen the beautiful and lush valley at the confluence of Sungai Buloh and Sungai Cemubung which could provide cool temperatures for heat-sensitive leprosy patients.

The settlement was a self-sufficient estate which had its own reservoir, prison, places of worship, poultry farm, mortuary and cemetery catering to the needs of the 2,000 plus patients.

They were of Javanese, Indian, Eurasian, indigenous and Chinese descents, living together harmoniously despite the morbid disease that they were suffering from.

The settlement had many places of worship – an Anglican church, a Catholic chapel, a Gospel Hall, a Hindu temple, a mosque and a Buddhist temple.

A sign that this sanctuary was no place for racial or religious segregation.

For many patients, the disease is like hell on earth but the unity of the sanctuary can be said to have made up for it – along with the provision of an opportunity for the patients to build their houses in heaven.

GREENERY: A foreign worker tending a flower and chili garden outside one of the quarters.

Peaceful co-existence

What was once a 2,000-strong community of lepers is now a community made of the remainder of patients and foreign support workers, living peacefully and with dignity in the 200 cottages within the nursery grounds.

The fully-recovered patients have accepted the presence of the foreign workers fairly well.

“As long as the government is taking care of the welfare of the ex-lepers, I’m fine. I’m old already and have been here so long I cannot remember any other place I have lived in. This is my home,” a fully recovered patient said.

Though this man is cured, the tone of his voice indicates he does not feel part of the natural world.

Loneliness is the answer to the mystery why this man is still willing to stay in the nursery with those suffering from the disease. Why stay among those once considered the living dead instead of existing freely with the world?

To quote Mother Teresa: The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis but rather the feeling of being unwanted.

Perhaps to the man, this is heaven on earth – a sanctuary from those who cast him aside. His decision to continue living within the nursery must be an act of thanks and commitment to a community that has accepted him for what he is.

Should anything disrupt the peaceful environment at the nursery, he would probably fight for the rights of the others who consider the place home.

Though there is no monument or structure to remind us of the plight of the lepers who once lived there, it’s for us to remember that despite the sores and the blindness, unity and strength make the world a more beautiful place. Just like in the Sungai Buloh Horticultural Hub.

FAREWELL: Brother Columba speaking at St Joseph’s Cathedral Parish Farewell Dinner, Kuching, 1997.

They soon found out this new Brother was quite different.

Johnny Kueh and the other boys found that Brother Columba had “an angelic smile and was very handsome.”

Daniel Law said the Brother had a gentleness about him.

“He was unassuming, had an unthreatening way of communicating which made us very comfortable.”

The 10 girls from the St Teresa’s Convent School across the road obviously felt a lot more.

As Josephine Kong put it: “With his strikingly good looks and charm, Bro Columba immediately became the favourite teacher of the young female population in Lower 6 who soon fondly referred to him as Robert Redford. We were not only mesmerised by his good looks but also by his teaching.”

She added: “He had the ability to turn dull economic theories of supply and demand, marginal utility and so on into a fascinating subject, and explain complex issues in a way that made sense to us and he did it all with a great sense of humour. You could not find a more patient and understanding teacher than Brother Columba.”

The boys concurred. Datu Haji Abang Helmi bin Ikhwan said he scored an ‘A’ in economics because of Brother Columba’s handling of the subject. Both he and Josephine later majored in economics in university.

Brother Columba was the eldest in a family of eight. He was born to James Gleeson and Annie Corbett on March 18, 1935, in a townsland called Cullenwaine, Co Offaly, Ireland.

He was baptised James Gleeson as it was common practice in Ireland then for the eldest son in the family to take the father’s name. He went to the National School at Moneygall, the neighbouring village, from where President Obama’s great, great, great, great grandfather emigrated to the US in 1850.

James Gleeson senior was a full-time farmer and Annie was a full-time farmer’s wife. They worked their farm “solidly, ploughing with horses and planting crops such as potatoes, turnips, beets and mangels, as well as grain crops and raising livestock.”

James Junior and his brothers helped with various tasks on the farm after school.

At a little over 13, in 1948, James Gleeson or Jimmy to his family, left home to join the De La Salle Brothers’ junior training centres at Mallow and Castletown. Why he did so “remains a bit of a mystery even today.”

A De La Salle Brother had visited and talked to students of his primary school about the work of the Brothers. He had regularly read some religious magazines and such events “probably sowed the seeds of attraction to the religious life.”

RESTING: The nocturnal Tarsier pretty much sleeps throughout the day, resting in shadowy areas filled with bushes and grasses amidst a dense natural secondary forest.

Located in the southeast of Cebu, Bohol, which takes about three hours via ferry, is the 10th largest island of the Philippines, and lies in the central Visayas.

While in Bohol, visitors can go to various destinations, clearly demonstrating the province’s well-preserved environment and culture.

Chocolate Hills: This is perhaps Bohol’s most significant attraction with picturesque sweeping views of its uniformly-shaped hills.

It is believed there are not fewer than 1,268 hills, covered in green grass that will turn brown during the summer from March until May, transforming the dome-shaped limestone hills into rows of rounded chocolate-like hills, hence the name Chocolate Hills.

Those who have not been there will find it hard to believe upon seeing pictures of Chocolate Hills for the first time that the hills are not man-made artefacts.

Philippine Tarsiers: Another not-to-be-missed destination is the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella, Bohol, which is home to the world’s smallest primate which feeds on live prey.

The Philippine Tarsiers can turn their heads 360 degrees with their ears moving to the direction of the sound and their long and rat-ike tails serving as the perfect counter-weight for balance.

Philippine Tarsiers can only carry one baby in its womb for six months and then nurtures it for another six months, which means that they can only have one baby tarsier per year.

The nocturnal Tarsier pretty much sleeps throughout the day, resting in shadowy areas filled with bushes and grasses amidst a dense natural secondary forest.

Bohol forest: The Bohol Forest is a man-made mahogany forest stretching in a two-kilometre stretch of densely planted mahogany trees, located in the border of Loboc and Bilar towns.

This rainforest is about 20km from Tagbilaran City. The forest stands out because of its uniformity in height, the spread of its branches, thickness and the leaves.

Cruising: Loboc River is one of the major tourists’ destinations in Bohol.

Visitors who join the cruise will be able to enjoy the natural scenes and folkdance by the residents living nearby the river while having a feast on local cuisine on a floating restaurant.

During the cruise on the floating restaurant, visitors will be treated with utmost hospitality.

Besides the sumptuous dining experience that the floating restaurants offer, visitors will be entertained by an in-boat live band that plays a variety of songs and even those requested by the visitors.

TALENTED PEOPLE: Residents living near the Loboc River entertain visitors with folk songs and dances during the cruise.

PLANK WALK: This plank walk leads to Hilutungan from Nalusuan Island which are not far apart from one another.

Media representatives had the opportunity to visit the oldest and one of the most developed cities in the Philippines during a familiarisation tour where they were introduced to various interesting heritage and resort sites in Cebu as well as on the island of Bohol to the southeast.

The four-day-three-night tour was organised by the Philippine Department of Tourism in conjunction with the launching of Cebu Pacific’s inaugural flight from Kuala Lumpur to Cebu.

It was a memorable trip. The historical sites and tourist attractions that permeate the landscapes in the two places will definitely beckon visitors who are huge on heritage and resort destinations, for a visit, if not repeat visits.

As one observer noted: “It will definitely stimulate the interests of East Malaysians to visit Cebu.”

Must-visit sites

Magellan’s Cross: First on the list of the must-visit historical sites is the Magellan’s Cross at Magallanes St.

The cross was planted by Ferdinand Magellan on April 14, 1521 and the spot is believed to be the place where the first Christian Filipinos – Rajah Humabon, Queen Juana and their group of followers – were baptised by Fr Pedro Valderama.

The Cross is situated in a chapel next to the Santo Nino Church. Visitors will be able to find a sign with the description on the original cross encased in the wooden cross in the centre of the chapel.

Santo Nino Church and Convent: Situated a stone’s throw from the Magellan’s Cross is the Church and Convent of Santo Nino, erected by Augustinian Fathers under the Rev Andres Urdaneta in 1565 and were the first to be established in the Philippines.

Both were burnt down on Nov 1, 1565. The second church was likewise destroyed by fire in March 1628 but was rebuilt soon after 1628-9 under the administration of the historian Rev Juan De Medina.

The present church was designed and constructed during the priorship of Rev Juan Albabarran. The Santa Nino, venerated in this church since the time of legaspi, is the centre of intense devotion and religious pilgrimages throughout the Visayas.

Fort San Pedro: Another historic attraction is Fort San Pedro where the original structure was temporarily built to provide security to members of the Spanish expedition encamped in the shores of Cebu.

HISTORIC FORT: Fort San Pedro where the original structure was temporarily built to provide immediate security to members of the Spanish expedition encamped in the shores of Cebu.

The fort was constructed on May 8, 1565, featuring a structure of a triangular wooden palisade situated on a promontory and was enclosed by a few wells of fresh water. One is still operational today.

During the early 20th century, the fort became part of Warwick Barracks, a military garrison, originally established in March 1899 by American military authorities.

Then on Nov 26, 1917, the abandonment of Barracks led the municipality of Cebu City to request that the Fort San Pedro be turned over to the city for park purposes.

In succeeding years, the fort had served as a clubhouse of the Cebu Garden Club, the Cebu City Zoo in 1957 and government offices from 1978 to 1993.

It has now been converted into a national shrine and is now managed by the city of Cebu.

Casa Gorordo: Visitors of Cebu should also make it a point to visit Casa Gorordo, a national historical landmark built in the mid-19th century by Alejandro Reynes Y Rosales.

The century-old mansion was later bought by Spanish merchant Juan Isidro De Gorordo whose family would live there for the next four generations, including Juan Gorordo, the first Filipino bishop of Cebu from 1910 to 1932.

The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc was acquired in 1980 where it was restored and later opened as a public museum.

Casa Gorordo has been declared a national historical landmark by virtue of National Historical Institute Board Resolution No. 4 dated Sept 24, 1991.

Island Hopping: A trip to Cebu is not complete without some island hopping to the beautiful Nalusuan Island and Hilutungan Island, reachable via a cruise on the motorised banc. Tourists can spend the day snorkeling and exploring the mesmerising marine sanctuary.

Apart from enjoying the sights of corals and tropical fishes, visitors can also have the exhilarating experience of feeding the ‘tourist-friendly’ fishes.

Local Industries: Although Cebu is now famous for its modern industries, the traditional industries that once played an important role in contributing to the income and employment of the state remained popular among the locals.

One of the traditional industries well known around the world is the production of locally handmade acoustic guitars, bandurrias (Filipino mandolins), banjo and ukuleles.

AMONG THE BEST: Cebuanos have been making quality guitars for many generations and are considered among the world’s finest craftsmen.

Cebuanos have been making these quality guitars for generations and the guitar makers are considered to be among the world’s finest craftsmen.

Maribago on Mactan Island is the centre of Cebu’s guitar-making industry with the presence of many shops and warehouses selling and exhibiting their hand-made ware.

PINEAPPLES FOR LUNCH: Kelabit friends bringing Bario pineapples for the afternoon meal prepared at the homestay. All dishes are individually cooked for each group.

A mother of two young adults who have been educated in Kuala Lumpur — one already working and the other completing his studies — she has, in response to the call of familial duty, returned to the Bario Highlands to look after her aged mother and adopted parents.

When she was a little girl, her parents allowed their relative to adopt her. So, she has two sets of parents like many of the indigenous people of Sarawak.

Joanna who had her early education in Bario, studied in Institut Teknologi Mara after completing secondary school. Upon graduation, she worked and got married and then found a job outside Bario – the usual story of young Kelabits. However, the highlands had been beckoning to her.

Her children are now fairly independent and chasing their own dreams. Her daughter has graduated with an MA in biotechnology from University Malaya and her son is studying to become an IT programmer from ITM.

The conditions were, thus, right for her to return and contribute to her hometown in the state’s scenic highlands.

Besides looking after her aging mother and adoptive parents, Joanna has put her time to good use by helping her people wherever she can. Presently, she is also holding down two jobs — as operational manager of Bario Airport and MAS agent.

She said she is not going to retire yet because she still has many dreams to fulfill. A few years ago, she started a pineapple farm on a piece of land near the airport. And not long ago, she opened a homestay business.

When friends from West Malaysia and overseas visit her, she is happy to show them her pineapple farm. She planted the young suckers with the help of her relatives, and is now harvesting as many as 10 to 15 fruits a day — sometimes more. Any surplus will be made into jam.

Challenging problems

However, Joanna has problems using her food processor to make jam. When the Bario dam is low, there is virtually no electricity for the community. And since power supply is dependent on the water level in the dam, it is not everyday that she can use her food processor to make jam. Fortunately, there is a generator at the secondary school in the area which she can rely on when the need arises.

HOME-MADE: Joanna’s home-made pineapple jam.

Joanna also faces a serious problem in her pineapple business. Sending the fruits by air to Miri is very expensive. She sells her pineapples at RM2 per kilo to passengers and relatives.

Malaysian Airlines allows free luggage of 10kg. Passengers are weighed before checking in with their hand luggage. Each pineapple easily weighs up to 3 kilos. If someone buys a box of pineapples, he or she may have to pay an extra RM30 surcharge because of excess baggage.

Relatives bringing a pineapple or two for their family or friends would usually wait for a friendly passenger to help hand-carry the fruits for them to Miri. That’s the way of the people in the highlands – always ready to help each other.

Besides pineapples, Joanna’s family also plant rice. If she cannot farm the land herself, she will ask other padi planters for help — perhaps on a sharecropping basis.

In the past, her parents had no problem planting enough rice to feed the whole family for a period of two years. Will she allow her land to lay fallow for the next few years?

In fact, Joanna is having to face many issues related to growing rice and pineapples in the highlands. Can she get a grant to start a pineapple jam cottage industry? She has been sourcing for help from friends and government agents but to no avail so far.

She sells her home-made jam at counters that are open to her but she has to remember not to over-produce because her refrigerator cannot operate 24 hours a day due to limited electricity supply in Bario.

Moreover, many of the better educated younger women who bemoan the lack of basic utilities – adequate electricity supply, for example – in the area have left to find work elsewhere.

Airport Homestay

WITH VISITORS: Joanna (right) and her visitors in front of her homestay.

Homestay business in Bario is irregular. Things usually pick up only during festive celebrations. However, for holiday-makers – both local and foreign – homestay accommodation and related facilities are available in Bario as well as nearby villages which offer attractions like kayaking and salt mines.

One popular setup is Joanna’s Bario Airport Homestay which offers good food. The chef frequently comes up with “very refreshing dishes.” Fresh talipia from Joanna’s pond next to the homestay is available everyday!

Dessert consists of a huge plate of freshly-plucked pineapples, and vegetables bought from the surrounding homesteads although green-thumbed Joanna grows most of her own vegetables.

Joanna Joy is a shinning example of an enterprising Kelabit woman who meets her challenges with plenty of cheers. If the challenges she is facing can be overcome, many younger highlanders would probably stay back to work and help boost the local economy.

With plantation roads linking Bario to Marudi, the future looks good for those Kelabits hoping to return home after their retirement — and even for the younger ones after their education outside the highlands.

According to a young government officer in Marudi, there might be more jobs in Bario in the future as more businesses can be opened up. With so many possibilities, the rural-urban migration which has been affecting many Bario families, could see a reversal.

THE VIEW: Looking towards Ngawal village from Humde Airport.

I never thought we would do this hike again since we had walked the whole Annapurna circuit in 1977 with no guide or porters in 45 days.

In those days, we camped most of the time since there were not many lodges and the food was very simple – mainly Dhal Bhat in most of the teahouses in villages along the trail. There were no fancy drinks, like hot lemon, just milky tea which I don’t like. Water was boiled and clothing and shoes were very heavy compared with what we can get these days.

This idea to go to Nepal came in February and before we knew it, we had started planning with Ashok to hike one of the most spectacular sections of the Annapurna trail circuit. We wanted to do it with ease since our objective was to take pictures. Besides, why hurry as the spectacular views are worthwhile to enjoy.

We flew with Nepal Airlines and it took about five hours to arrive in Kathmandu from Kuala Lumpur. Kathmandu has changed a lot since our last visit and is now a very busy city, with very dusty, bumpy roads. On the streets it seemed that everybody was buying and selling everything. People were also wearing face masks and I must say that we noticed how spoiled we are in Malaysia with good roads, water and electricity. At 8pm it is pitch-dark since there are a lot of problems with water and electricity in the city and all the shops are closed, people gone and the streets are quiet.

Kathmandu has good outdoor-shops (both new and second-hand gear) and we could buy everything we needed for our trip. In the old days, all second-hand items were left by mountaineering groups.

From Kathmandu, we flew to Pokhara where our guide Prem was waiting and the next day, at 6am, we flew to Humde at 3,280 metres. The half-hour flight was spectacular and we flew in between the high mountains in a Twin Otter and it was breathtaking. We landed at a small airstrip and our two porters Gora and Tsori were waiting to start our journey.

STUNNING SIGHT: The hike from Humde through pine forest.

At 10am, we started hiking and the trail was easy. The Nepalese authorities are planning to build a road in this valley that will be finished in two years. We are glad we did the hike as the road would make it less fun. It will probably be very dusty too from all the traffic.

Initially the trail took us through Humde, a village that has solar heating, lots of small hotels, and a bakery that produces fresh rolls. We walked through a nice pine forest. People were walking with heavy loads of wood that they use for cooking and heating. We were surrounded by high mountains; on our right side was the Annapurna range and on our left Pisang peak (6,091 metres). Some peaks were covered with snow and the air was really clean since there are no industries or cars that pollute the air.

REFRESHING WATERS: The Marsyangdi River is seen from the trail to Lower Pisang.

Our first stop was Lower Pisang at 3,200 metres and as soon as the sun was down it was cold. We were wearing all our warm clothes and got into the heated dining area. After a cup of hot lemon, we felt a bit warmer. Then I felt symptoms of altitude sickness.

The next day, I stayed behind as we had made it a resting day to acclimatise, but my husband went for a long hike to a part of the valley where you can see that a glacier had filled it long ago. He also went to Upper Pisang, just 100 metres higher, and only half an hour away where there is a monastery. ~ To be continued …

SUPERBOY: Another item created from balloons.

AFTER attending a balloon course in Singapore, James Lau Seng Hock decided to swap his career as a civil engineer with something completely different — a professional balloon decoration artist.

The career switch took a lot of soul-searching, foremost of which being how to make a successful transition and what does the local market hold for the balloon decoration business?

After weighing the pros and cons, the 28-year-old took the bold step to join the balloon decoration industry — and today, he can be said to be one of the finest in his field in Sibu.

“There is this long-term prospect in balloon decoration that I clearly foresee. Also, I have developed a deep interest in using balloons to make sculptures and other objects. This is what has truly inspired me to take up the challenge,” Lau, a participant of KTS Sarawak Youth Talent Discovery project, told thesundaypost.

When talking about balloons, he said, most people usually thought of size, shape and colour – and things like basic twisting long balloons and helium balloons.

“It’s all about playing stuff little children carry around and adults use as decorative items at parties and other celebrations. But with a little creativity, balloons can be made into virtually anything you can think of.”

Fruitful courses

Lau said venturing into the business of balloon decorations never crossed his mind until a close friend introduced him to the world of balloons.  He was attached to the company of a local contractor for one and half years before making a career change.

He admitted to not knowing about the ‘magical wonders’ of balloons until he embraced the trade three years ago after the course in Singapore in 2010.

During the two-day course, conducted by a Belgium instructor, Lau learned the art of helium balloon arrangement and the making of western-style wedding couples. He also picked up the basics of using balloons to make sculptures.

FAR-SIGHTED: Lau, a participant of KTS Sarawak Youth Talent Discovery project, sees long-term prospects in the balloon decoration business.

“It was a course that really impressed me about the wonderful things balloons could be used to make — and that balloon decorative items could bring smiles to people.”

Lau said at first, he was quite reluctant to join the trade after returning from Singapore — not for lack of interest but for economic reasons.

Who wants to venture into the balloon trade that promises so little returns?

What can a balloon do to attract business, anyway?

He spent many sleepless nights ruminating on these questions. And after careful thought and despite objection from his family and peers, he decided to go for it.

SPOILT FOR CHOICE: Materials used to create balloon sculptures and other objects.

Now, Lau works full-time with Jackie Inspirations, believed to be the only local company dealing with balloon decorations for weddings, birthdays and other celebrations. And he is loving every minute of it.

At Jackie Inspiration, Lau’s talent for using balloons to make decorations and attractive sculptures blossomed.

“Balloon decorations are suitable for all occasions and unlike flower decorations, they are much sought after for weddings, anniversary celebrations, dinners and the like. The more balloon objects I make, the more smiles I bring to my clients. That’s my greatest job satisfaction,” he enthused.

Six months after joining the company, and together with his boss Jackie Tan, Lau attended a three-day balloon decoration course in Kuala Lumpur, conducted by a Taiwanese expert.

This time around, Lau learned to make bigger sculptures like dragons and robots as well as event-opening gimmicks from balloons. And he returned with the confidence to accept orders for different types of balloon decorations and customise the requests from clients.

Later, together with three other workers from the company, he went for an advanced course in Singapore.

“I know there’s no shortcut to success. To further improve my skills, it’s imperative that I upgrade myself constantly to keep in touch with changing trends in the business,” he said.

“Balloons can be used to make items that people can think of. You name it and I can visualise and create it. We can construct a garden of balloon flowers, balloon insects and balloon garden friends. We customise according to the needs of all our customers.”

EXPOSURE TRIP: Lau (left) and a colleague during a course on balloon decorations.

Latest creation

Lau also makes artificial flowers with deflated balloons. For the coming Chinese New year, he has worked on the Balloon Prosperity God, the Balloon Dragon and the Balloon Lion Head which, he said, had amazed a lot of people.

HELLO KITTY: Children especially like this hello kitty creation.

His latest creation is a Harley Davidson Super Bike, prominently displayed at the Sibu Town Square during the Second Sibu Bike Week.

Every single item was made of balloons — tyre, rim, handle and brake — and Lau took about one day to complete the super bike — thus far, his biggest feat.

As for costs, he said it depended on the amount of materials and time used and spent.

“Different items are created at different costs. So it’s hard to give an exact figure,” he said, pointing out that the cost differential of the various decorations could be several hundred ringgit.

Lau hopes to set up a balloon academy one day to train up a team of balloon decorators in East Malaysia.

“I dare say balloon decorations are new to the East Malaysian market. So I would like to share with the people of Sarawak the wonderful things balloons can be used to create.

“If my academy dream comes true, I will introduce balloon decoration to schools. Hopefully, it can be included as part of the co-curriculum other than the usual tuition, art classes and computer lessons.”

In fact, several parents he has talked to are very supportive of the idea.

Lau will hold a road show at shopping malls to showcase and promote the balloon decoration business.

THE APPS TEAM: Dr Michelle (sixth from right) and her SmartWard team with a Silicon Valley mentor David White (third from left).

A Miri doctor stumbled upon such an opportunity on the global software scene when she entered a weekend competition for startup businesses in London on Nov 9 this year.

And finishing among the top three in the finals of Global Startup Battle (GSB) 2012 has opened the door to an exciting new venture — a global start-up business to provide better healthcare — for her and her team.

Dr Michelle Teo Ai Ling graduated from Nottingham University with MBBS first class honours and BMedSci (honours) before working as a UK National Health Service (NHS) medical doctor in oncology (cancer medicine) at Nottingham City Hospital this year.

She was a top student at St Columba School, run by the Anglican parish in Miri, before leaving to do medicine in the UK.

“I came up with ideas while working at Nottingham City Hospital where healthcare could be more organised. I wanted to find out how human errors could be reduced in hospitals — like where I work,” she said.

The route to a software start-up company was not planned the traditional way when she first tried using computer software to manage the daily routine at the hospital.

According to her, most hospitals are paper-based where notes and drug charts can get lost, and doctors would spend half their time at work simply looking for these things.

She was determined to do something about the rather chaotic situation — even to the extent of trying her hands at writing software codes.

“It didn’t work, so I googled and found Startup Weekend, an event where software developers and business people come to work on an idea over a period of 54 hours,” she said of her first foray into the software world.

She found it quite daunting going to the geeky event and introducing herself as a medical doctor.

“Everyone was from the software development community with software design background and here I was wondering what would they think – like what’s she doing here,” she related.

But the participants were “very welcoming and accepting” and on the first night (Nov 9), she pitched her idea in 60 seconds.

“Seven of the IT people present found something in my idea that resonated with them, and they approached me to offer their help,” she recalled.

Introducing SmartWard

After assembling an international team of software developers overnight for the London Start-up Weekend (LSW) competition, organised by The London Telegraph, on the first weekend of Nov, she kickstarted the challenge with a cross platform application (apps) called SmartWard.

Her team included user interface (UI) designers from Italy and Chile, software developers from the UK, Greece and Dubai, a genetics undergraduate from Greece, and an MBA candidate who used to own her own software company in India.

“Our start-up company is based on the novel idea of using a software called SmartWard to reduce human errors in hospitals,” she said.

Due to the limited time (54 hours) to come up with a whole new business plan and product, her team – for a start — produced only one application for the Doctor’s PA (Personal Assistant). It is a task management application that improves communication in hospitals.

HOW IT WORKS: Dr Michelle presenting SmartWard to London Mayor Boris Johnson at The London Telegraph office.

“SmartWard allows all outstanding tasks for a certain patient to be immediately transferred to the doctor receiving the patient, say from the AnE Department.

“Staff can also send tasks to each other without physically tracking one another down, giving timed reminders for when a task must be done, say a blood transfusion.

“The system can also find all doctors logged into the system at any one time — so junior doctors can quickly get help,” she explained.

Her team’s victory in the LSW event caught the attention of London Mayor Boris Johnson and was also featured in UK’s leading newspaper The Daily Telegraph which has a large media presence in US as well.

Making the finals

Victory also qualified her team for the finals of Global Startup Battle (GSB) 2012, touted as the biggest entrepreneurial startup campaign ever held and organised by StartupWeekend.org based in Seattle, USA.

GSB 2012 drew entries from 138 start-up weekend competitions in 61 countries around the world, involving more than 10,000 participants and 1,100 teams over two weekends in Nov.

Following another report in the Sarawak media on Nov 26 of her entry in the competition, Dr Michelle’s SmartWard apps was voted on Facebook, beating a global field of 111 video entries to take top spot with 5,025 votes by Nov 28.

The top 15 entries were further scrutinised and assessed by a panel of five judges over a one-week period.

In the final results, SmartWard came in third after runners-up Beethoven of Mexico and champions Groupnotes of Canada.

While the champions won a host of prizes, worth US$35,000, the top 15 entries, including SmartWard, will also be awarded to help with the start-up businesses of their inventors.

“We have been approached by CEOs, The Royal Society of Medicine and journalists interested in furthering our start-up company and supporting what we are trying to do for healthcare,” she revealed.

It was a remarkable achievement for a Miri girl, now a medical doctor venturing into software with a vision to improve healthcare by putting technology in the hands of professionals like doctors and nurses.

Dr Michelle’s success was first brought to the attention of local media in Sarawak on Nov 17 this year by her mother, Diana Yeoh, an educator at Miri’s Riam Road Secondary School.

She returned to Miri on Dec 22 to be a bridesmaid for the wedding of her elder brother Dr Stanley Teo and sister-in-law
Dr Eunice Oon at the Meritz Hotel.

Those interested in following her progress with SmartWard can visit www.smartwardapp.com

DOING OUR PART: We can contribute to scientific research through various citizen science projects globally.

Citizens, non-experts, have contributed and are continuing to make their mark in scientific fields particularly in the study of birds – ornithology, and astronomy. This collaboration is referred to as citizen science, but the concept is not new.

Records of non-expert contributions to original science date back to 1880 when citizens collected data on patterns of bird migration for American ornithologists. In 1890, the American voluntary group National Audubon Society initiated the ongoing Christmas Bird Count.

As with present day bird counts, which continue to attract collaboration, each group is led by an experienced birder who is an expert.

During the first weekend in June a couple of years ago, I was introduced to citizen science through My Garden Birdwatch (www.mygardenbirdwatch.com), an initiative of the Bird Conservation Group of the Malaysian Nature Society.

I watched birds in my garden for a mere 30 minutes and uploaded the information onto the website. The information was collated and the results were announced via the website in August.

This ongoing project provides large quantities of important basic data on bird populations around the country, which can help unravel questions concerning, for example, fluctuations in population, species composition, and adaptation to changing environments. Statistical evidence has to be gathered for five to eight years in order to identify trends and answer questions.

The non-experts are supported in their personal development through branches of the Malaysian Nature Society which organise training workshops, while the My Garden Birdwatch website has tips and steps for participants as well as training videos and identification guides for common urban species.

The openness of the collated data increases, in my view, the sense of ownership and as an individual I do feel that I have ownership.

It is interesting to note that the number of participants has increased. (I was disappointed in both 2011 and 2012 because I did not see the colourful sunbirds or the pink-necked pigeons that come after fruit during my 30-minute observation time.)

The availability of technology and the openness of the World Wide Web contribute to the success of the My Garden Birdwatch.

Although training exercises are not considered citizen science as original research is not completed, there is an educational aspect and appreciation for science; both of which are important. Plus it is cost effective. In short this type of data collection project is tailor-made for citizen science.

Another birdwatching initiative that activates citizen participation is the Asian Water Bird Count. Experienced birders lead the groups who count the flocks of migrating water/shore birds. Non-experts have made tremendous contributions to identifying and understanding fluctuating bird populations through collaborations with scientific experts through the many birdwatching or counting worldwide collaborations.

Non-experts have also made outstanding contributions in the world of astronomy with amateurs peering into the clear sky. Zooniverse (www.zooniverse.org), which originated in 2007 to coordinate astronomy data collection, has numerous collaborative citizen science projects that are developed and led by experts.

Zooniverse and its projects are produced, maintained and developed by the Citizen Science Alliance, which includes collaboration on original research on the natural world, astronomy and history, for example.

Scientific America on its webpage (www.scientificamerican.com) contains a long list of projects, which are collaborations between non-experts and scientists, although scientists lead the projects.

The areas of research are variable and reach beyond birds and astronomy, including weather, evolution, mapping yards, tagging tuna, bees, earthquakes and so on.

National Geographic at (education.nationalgeographic.com) also lists a wide range of projects that us non-experts can contribute to original scientific research.

Citizen science in my view is able to link non-experts with the scientific world through the collaborative original research providing a connection and ownership.

To become involved look up the sites mentioned and remember, join the My Garden Birdwatch in June 2013.

DYING TRADE: A cobbler plying his trade at Petaling Street.

Rakan KL, first launched on Aug 31, 2012, organised its fifth walk this year.

Rakan in Bahasa Malaysia means “friend.” And the organisers and participants could not have been friendlier!

This walk #5 began at Zhing Kong Restaurant and ended at the Chin Woo Stadium at Jalan Hang Jebat. It was definitely not going to be an ordinary walk, conducted by a fast-talking tour guide.

The tour started with those gathered at Zhing Kong Restaurant (famous for its beef noodles) at 10 in the morning.

Victor Chin introduced his “walkers” to Adrian Yeo and Cindy, the “tour guides.”

Adrian, the tour leader, is a young guy who explained the tour with the help of an iPad.

It was amazing how he explained the photos of old KL, sometimes with a humourous albeit Socratic style of questioning.

His iPad photos transported the participants back to the old days in stark contrast to the reality of the present-day development.

Most brought cameras and clicked away, sometimes on their own and very often because of a hint from the tour guides or what another participant had “sighted.”

A good friend of Victor’s is Stevie Wonder, a KL hotelier, a third generation Chinatowner and an avid photographer. His presence added value to the Walk. The others were from the US, Sabah, Sarawak and Penang.

An enthusiastic Lucy Lim who was born near Brickfields, and lives in KL city, was a first-timer.

She had been planning to join the KL walk for some time but because work took her out of KL in the last few months, she was glad that at the last minute, she could join even without signing up.

Interesting stops

The “tour guides” made every stop an interesting one — with lots of tales filled with minute details. Adrian and Victor encouraged the participants to share their personal tales too.

There was a coffeebreak at a nice kopitiam and Victor shared a box of traditional crispy light as air breadfinger biscuits.

In the Ghost Lane, the participants were intrigued by the tales of some of the participants.

Adrian asked: “Why are the backlanes of this width?”

The backlanes in KL were built that wide so that they were “big enough for small lorries to drive through and for the night soil men to render their services in the early morning hours.

Rakan KL Walkabout enabled the participants to meet up with a pair of photographers taking pictures of a model. Watching them working together in the warm morning sun only made one realise how important colours were in our lives!

The model worked hard not only for the photographers but Rakan KL as well. Cameras clicked away. But alas, the group had to move on with the feeling that there was indeed nothing dull about life in the backstreets!

Adrian did not miss the special features like the age of one backlane lamppost. Victor would add more relevant stories and Stevie too could contribute his version.

They were very entertaining history teachers. The whole group enjoyed enormously all the references provided by Rakan KL.

MEETING POINT: Hotel Starlight or Rumah Tumpangan Sing Kwong (the restaurant Zhing Kong) is the meeting point for KL Walk #5.

Danny from Sabah who has been working in KL, said: “I have wanted to join this walk for some time. But since I work most Saturdays, I have missed the last four. I’m glad I can come for this one.”

The participants felt a tinge of sadness as they walked further along the route, noticing many places had already been demolished while some were abandoned. Cranes were working continuously.

Bus station demolished

DISMANTLED: The old Klang Bus Station is no more.

The Old Klang bus station, one of the biggest interchanges in peninsular Malaysia in the 70’s, for example, has been demolished and soon a new structure will sprout.

Public transport in KL in the shape of MRT continues to make its mark in the urban landscape metamorphosis.

A Petaling Street sidewalk convenience store owner of
Indian descent feels threatened. He has come here as a five-year-old and learnt to speak Cantonese.

He has been here for 53 years, selling small items and numerous sundry goods outside an 80-year-old kopitiam, and perhaps with the ever pounding and screeching sounds of moving cranes together with the pressures of city development, he has to pack up his cigarette and newspaper stand and retire!

What would life be for him then? It woul be unimaginable for this friendly man who is part of Chinatown and an everyday fixture in the lives of people who conveniently pick up a copy of newspaper from him.

It would also be sad for those who have exchanged warm greetings of good morning with him all these years if he were to pack up and go, remarked one of the participants.

“It’s like losing a relative who lives next door.”

One of the most exciting parts of the Walk was Jalan Sultan which had been mentioned in the press a great deal. Both locals and tourists know about it but they don’t actually know all the stories behind the history of this magnificent road.

When Adrian and Cindy brought the group to Jalan Sultan, they could feel the excitement the road evoked. Both Adrian and Cindy are so animated and passionate about the history of this road!

Stories of yesteryear

The stories of yore are made of blood, sweat and tears of tin miners, sampan rowers, vegetable growers, satay men and coolies when KL was just a little bazaar.

Different races had congregated at the confluence of Klang and Gombak to create this marvellous heart of Selangor. History, culture and the dynamics of population have created the unique city of Kuala Lumpur which has made its mark in the world.

Near the Chin Woo Stadium, before the walk ended, the Rakan KL Walk #5 also bade farewell to the notable shoplots to be demolished soon.

Tailor Shop

For most of the people, an ordinary testimonial may mean nothing. But to an almost century-old tailor shop at Sultan Street, Kuala Lumpur, all of the testimonials have significant meanings.

Not everyone can receive such testimonials as they are from the fourth Yang Di-Pertuan Agung, Tuanku Ismail Nasiruddin Shah, former Finance Minister Tun Tan Siew Sin, foreign envoys and even the 12th Prime Minister of Australia Sir Robert Gordon Menzies.

Kwong Fook Wing Tailor Shop was founded in 1915 and the business has been passed down to third generation. Just like his grandfather and father, the current owner Kwong Kam Lun insists on making every suit by hand.

The Yan Keng Benevolent Dramatic Association was founded in 1920 and is one of the oldest Chinese opera clubs in Kuala Lumpur. It raises money for charity by staging opera performaces and choral singing. The money is mainly donated to old folks’ homes, hospitals and schools.

The participants will not forget how Victor lovingly showed them the tall parapet, facing Jalan Hang Jebat, with the name of the Association on it, and how he pointed out to them the beautiful classical arches lining the five-footway with that sincere and loving touch.

More tales can be told, more modern stories shared by Rakan KL Walks in the future.

Each little crevice, each little side walk, each little backlane will come to life waiting for you to explore and peel off layers
and layers of history. Be enriched and enthralled. Walk with Rakan KL.

Artist highlights culture and heritage

Victor Chin, who was with the Rakan KL group, is a KL-based artist and photographer and also a member of the Heritage of Malaysia Trust (Badan Warisan) where he contributes water-colour paintings of Malaysian shophouses in states like KL and Penang to highlight the importance of culture and heritage.

Here is a painting of his (see top picture) to remind one of the memorable, beautiful bygone days of KL.

A keepsake like this brings to life a culture of the people (regardless of race, religion and colour) who have been living in this special part of the world for more than three generations.

Sited at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak Rivers, Kuala Lumpur was the commercial centre of the then British-ruled Malaya. Chinese, Malays, Indians congregated here to do business, set up homes and established themselves in the government offices.

Most of the streets in the old business district were built between the two World Wars (1915 and 1945) when Malaya was the world’s largest producer of tin and rubber.

Hopefully, KL landscape will continue to maintain some of its old heritage buildings. They should not just be captured in paintings which are lovingly framed and hung in homes. Most should be preserved as heritage buildings.

COLLEAGUES: Teo (second left) with his co-workers.

The reasons for this can be many — and for Ting Tion Lik, news feeds on Facebook will be pretty much everything when it comes to information.

The 21-year-old said like him, most of his friends did not bother about local daily newspapers as they spent ‘quality time’ on accessing information via the Internet.

The most recent issue that captured his interest and those of his social circle was the much touted Dec 21 apocalypse based on the Mayan calendar.

“Of course, I did not buy that Armageddon notion the very first time I heard of it. And I still don’t believe in any doomsday talk.

“Likewise, many of my friends just shrug it off — at least we don’t believe everything we come across on the Internet.”

Ting, who works as an IT technician, admitted he checked out the latest trend on Facebook every half an hour. if not every 15 minutes.

He said most of his friends relied on social media sites such
as Facebook to learn about the latest development in the
country.

“Besides keeping up with friends through Facebook, we follow quite a lot of issues concerning Malaysia even if we do not read papers.

“Stop Lynas Save Malaysia is one of the major issues we care about,” he said, indicating that the print media would not carry extensive reports on the subject matter.

He declined to give a direct answer when asked about the realiability of information on the Internet.

“There are reasons why people, especially youngsters like me, go for online news. Variety is a key factor and we also realise many newspapers do not have reports that actually point out the shortcomings of the government.

However, Ting was quick to add that by having information at his fingertips, he just wanted to stay more informed of what was going on in Malaysia.

However, for 34-year-old Kenny Teo, he still depends largely on printed media for news, particularly local information.

“Reading local Chinese dailies is still the first thing I do every morning,” said Teo, a sales representative of an electrical company.

He viewed the alternative media as a good platform to gain information not reported in the mainstream media.

Teo said he had been a Facebook user since three years ago, adding that he would sign in to the social media page once a day.

He added that Facebook was a more personal avenue where he would get latest development and information about his family, relatives, friends and co-workers.

THERE may be very few Sabahans touring Vietnam but if they do, they will be impressed by the many similarities between them and us, as I found out recenty.

Being Asian, I did not have any problem blending in with the crowds on the busy streets of Hanoi, a city in the north of the country.

People spoke to me in Vietnamese and I answered in English. The average Vietnamese on the street may not speak English but body language and intonations do get the message across.

I was just passing through Hanoi district, populated by almost seven million people with 334,470 hectares in 29 sub-divisions.

The city was very busy, especially with incessant traffic made up mainly of motorcycles and bicycles. Of course, they were other vehicles big and small but the two-wheelers were king.

My destination was Halong Bay, about 170km from Hanoi. The fare was 1.6million dongs (Vietnam currency) in a four-wheel vehicle and about 100,000 dongs in a public bus – about RM233 and RM15 respectively.

Halong Bay, after five hours of non-stop drive in a four- wheeler, was a welcome sight. Our tour conducted was on a boat called Aurora, a 14-room contraption that was more wish than ship but was comfortable and served the purpose.

PICTURESQUE: Boats plying scenic Halong Bay with a backdrop of quaint-looking mountains.

World Heritage site

According to our tourist guide, Peter Qiet, Halong is a Unesco World Heritage with an area of 1,553 sq km dotted by some 2,000 limestone islets.

Peter who works on board Aurora, said inhabitants on some of the islands around Halong Bay mostly fished for a living.

“In the old days the people’s livelihood depended on the sea. This has gone on for a long time. But, of course, as time passed by, their children went to school – so not everyone became fishermen,” he shared.

According to him, since tourism was introduced to Halong Bay, the people have benefitted in some ways – the women and some men are paid to take care of kayaks in their village.

“We can’t carry our kayaks in our boat all the time, so we choose a village – in this case Vung Vieng Floating Village – to park our kayaks.

“We then pay the villagers to take care of the kayaks. We usually bring tourists in and encourage them to go kayaking in and around the Floating Village,” he said, adding that the water there was calm, being sheltered by islands.

Peter also said the villagers benefitted through their little stalls, either on floating platforms or in small boats anchored at jetties near tourist spots.

One of the favourite anchoring spots is the jetty to the surprising cave or Sung Sot Cave where boat operators wait for customers.

Various foodstuffs, water and carbonated drinks are sold here and customers snapped them up quickly after coming down from the caverns all hot, sweaty and thirsty.

IMPRESSIVE: Tourists inside the stupendous Surprising Cave.

Interesting spot

The Sun Sot Caves is quite interesting even though the stairs up the hills and about the caverns are steep. There are some interesting rock formations inside with one resembling a turtle. Some people rubbed its head for luck and left money around it.

After the trek, Peter took us outside where a few stalls were selling T-shirts and souvenirs – the standard tourist fare – and the scenery was breathtaking.

“So that’s how we earn our living to send the children to school,” he shared, pointing to the little boats ferrying goods in and around the bay to sell to customers huddled in boats off Halong Bay.

Peter said if the children made good grades, they would go to school in Halong City or Hanoi otherwise they would just carry on the work of their forefathers like fishing for food and selling the surplus.

“We are still catching up on tourism and its benefit,” he said, adding Aurora (the boat) was a good start with the company he was working for.

“We bought this boat from another company. We used to rent boats but decided that to own is better thanto rent.

“This is our only boat now but we will add to it as wego along. We will also be able to create more jobs,” he said.

DWARFED: A STAR cruiser dwarfs a small tourist boat in front of it on a day out in the Bay.

The tour of Halong Bay ended on the second day after a night on board. The experience was exhilarating for a Sabahan like me whose state is also being promoted as a tourism destination.

There were glaring shortcomings such as intermittent water and electricity disruptions throughout the day, and sub-standard food but they were doing their best to cater to foreign tourists, especially those expecting a smooth package.

But the visit was worth it and I believe it merits repeat visits if only to see the development Vietnam through the years.

HUGE DRILLING MACHINE: The first of 10 Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) for Sungai Buloh-Kajang MRT project will be delivered to Malaysia for the project that is set to be started in May 2013. —Bernama photo

However, the 38.34 square km wide Schwanau is ‘not really small’, as it is the home of a high-technology machine manufacturer that specialises in underground tunnel work.

Created in 1977, and renamed Herrenknecht AG in 1998, the Allmannsweier-based firm is known as the leader in the manufacturing and marketing of tunnelling machinery.

To date, Herrenknecht AG has supplied the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) in sizes of 0.10-19.0 metres and completed more than 1,900 km of tunnels.

In 2005, Herrenknecht AG set a world record by building a TBM measuring 19 metres (62 feet) in diameter. The firm is also involved in the construction of the Smart Tunnel in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur.

The first TBM for the My Rapid Transit’s (MRT) Sungai Buloh-Kajang alignment is ready to be shipped to Malaysia from Schwanau to start tunnelling work for the MRT project, expected to take off in May 2013.

The shipment of the TBM followed the recent success of the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) conducted by engineers from MRT Corp and the contractor for the underground tunnel work, MMC-Gamuda KVMRT (T) Sdn Bhd and Herrenknecht AG here.

MRT Corporation’s Strategic Communication and Public Relations Director, Amir Mahmood Razak, said the first MRT alignment, which has 31 stations including seven located underground, will require tunnelling through karstified limestone and the Bukit Kenny geological structures.

Karst is an area of irregular limestone in which erosion has produced fissures, sinkholes, underground streams, and caverns.

Geological studies show that part of the underground area east of Kuala Lumpur is made up of karstified limestone, while the Bukit Kenny zone has granite, sand and mudstones.

This requires a suitable TBM, and MRT tunnels are to be constructed using two types of TBMs – six Variable Density (VD) modern TBMs and two Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) TBMs to ensure the safety of workers during construction of the tunnels.

VD TBM will be used to drill through the karstified limestone area, while EPB TBM will be used in the Kenny Hill geological area, explained Amir.

The first of the 10 TBMs, 6,620mm in diameter, 135 m-long and weighing 1,100 tonnes with cutterhead power of 1,280KW, will be used for the construction of the Sungai Buloh-Kajang MRT tracks.

MRT Corp and MMC-Gamuda ordered the TBM in March 2012. It took nine months for completion before receiving the FAT scrutiny and approval.

This machine will be dismantled and shipped to Malaysia after the FAT clearance and is expected to arrive in the country in March 2013, said Amir.

This TBM and another (still in construction) will be used to bore a tunnel through Cochrane, Kampung Pandan and ending in Pasar Rakyat in Kuala Lumpur.

Ten TBMs, worth RM450 million, will be used for tunnel-boring works at the 9.5 km stretch from Semantan to Maluri, passing seven underground stations (KL Sentral, Pasar Seni, Merdeka, Bukit Bintang Sentral, Pasar Rakyat, Cochrane, and Maluri).

Eight of the TBMs will be manufactured by Herrenknecht AG, while the other two will come from China Railway Tunnel Engineering Ltd factories.

Also, about two-thirds of the company’s 3,300 workers are at the Herrenknecht AG headquarters, and another 300 at three different locations in China.

A tunnel boring machine (TBM) is a sophisticated machine used to bore through any type of soil or rock, explained the project manager for MMC Gamuda Joint Venture Sdn Bhd (MGJV), Gusztav Klados, to Malaysian journalists who recently visited the plant in Schwanau.

“It is shaped like a cylinder, which is lying on its side and has a rotary cutter head at its front. This cutter head cuts and “eats away” the soil or rock as it rotates and as the TBM pushes itself forward.

“A TBM also has a system which assembles the concrete lining for the tunnel immediately after the TBM has done its excavation work,” he said.

This consists of a mechanical arm that lifts and puts pre-cast concrete pieces together to form a ring in the excavated portion of the tunnel. This maintains the integrity of the tunnel by preventing the tunnel from caving in.

The TBM also has a set of hydraulic jacks that are fixed against the last concrete ring, slowly extended to push the TBM forward.

Another important component of the TBM is the system that disposes of the soil or rock material which the TBM has excavated. Depending on the type of machine used, excavated material can be brought out from the back of the machine via a conveyor belt or loaded into wagons which are then transported out, or can be mixed into a liquid clay called bentonite and pumped out, he said.

Gusztav explained that by using the EPB shields, the soil is excavated by tools on the rotating cutting wheel at the tunnel face and passes through the openings in the cutting wheel into the excavation chamber.

There, it mixes with the other soils.

The force from the thrust cylinders is transmitted via the pressure bulkhead to the soil to support the tunnel face and control the entry of material into the excavation chamber.

The excavated material is then removed by the screw conveyor from the excavation chamber, which is under pressure in the tunnel. With the help of an erector, the tunnel lining segments are built directly behind the shield. All activities are monitored from the control cabin.

EPB Shields, made by Herrenknecht AG, are in their element in soft ground. Cohesive and incohesive soils with high clay or silt content and low
water permeability provide the ideal conditions for EPB tunnelling.

Gusztav explained, the soil excavated by the cutting wheel is used to support the tunnel face. Foam injected in front of the cutting wheel turns the excavated soil into a paste, guaranteeing the exact control of the support pressure, as well as the efficient removal of the excavated soil.

One other method for constructing a tunnel for the MRT without using a TBM is by digging from the surface, said Amir.

This method is usually called “cut and cover” because it literally involves cutting and digging the soil or rock from the surface, and then covering it over to make a tunnel once the desired depth is reached.

This is obviously not a feasible method when building an MRT tunnel, or any other type of tunnel, through a busy city like Kuala Lumpur, as the “cut and cover” method will cause constant disruptions on the surface.

Further, cut and cover through a city will mean closing all roads and demolishing all buildings that the tunnel will run under.

“The FAT is an important milestone in the MRT project as it marks the completion of the TBM’s manufacturing process. MRT Corp and MMC-Gamuda has inspected the TBM to ensure that it complies with its required specifications and that it functions properly. The TBM is now ready for action in Malaysia”, said Amir.

During the FAT, the engineers jointly went through a check-list of 450 items which stretched over 43 pages. The checks range from a simple visual of the external surface of the TBM to ensuring that every valve in the TBM is in good working order.

According to Amir, an added significance to this event was that this first TBM, code-named S-774 for the MRT project, is also the world’s first Variable Density TBM. The design of the Variable Density TBM was the result of a joint effort between MMC-Gamuda and Herrenknecht and was specially invented for tunnelling through the challenging Kuala Lumpur limestone which lies under the eastern part of Kuala Lumpur.

“The designing of the Variable Density TBM is the result of combined Malaysian and German ingenuity. This is something which Malaysians can be truly proud of,” said Amir.

Amir added that a TBM owner has several options upon completion of the work. One is for the TBMs to be decommissioned and dismantled. Parts that can be reused will then be salvaged.

The second option is to tunnel the TBMs into the ground and cap them.

The third choice is to dismantle the TBMs and then re-assemble them for displaying to the public.

The fourth option is to dismantle the TBMs, relocate them to a factory for refurbishment with replacement parts, and deliver them to another project requiring similar TBMs, all tested and approved for new tunnelling work, he said. — Bernama

FIGHTING ILLNESSES: As Kapit divisional health officer, Dr Ngian (second from right) has been carrying out public health awareness programmes to reduce chronic illnesses such as hypertension and obesity in the districts of Kapit, Song and Belaga.

As there have been no statistics on the prevalence of hypertension in both urban and rural areas of Sarawak, most would imagine that rural folks are perhaps less susceptible to the condition due to their physically more active lifestyle such as tending to their crops and working in the fields or moving from place to place mostly on foot in the absence of modern conveniences found in urban areas.

However, medical personnel such as Kapit divisional health officer Dr Ngian Hie Ung who has been serving in rural Sarawak for four years, will tell you
rural folks are not any less vulnerable. Indeed, thinking hypertension only affects town or city folks is a common misconception.

The belief that rural folks with their less affluent environment and more manual activities in the nature of their daily living may give rise to a healthier community of people is a myth, according to Dr Wong Jin Shyan, head of Medicine Department at Bintulu Hospital.

He attributed the prevalence of hypertension to the pitfalls of the modern lifestyle where most foods contain a high level of salt, especially preserved or canned foods.

“Since the Industrial Revolution, our body has adapted to high salt intake as almost everything we eat now contains a high level of salt. At the same time, the body is slowly adapting to higher blood pressure. Whether you are urban or rural, the risk of hypertension is there,” he pointed out.

Tough existence

An outreach project, carried out by Kuching Specialist Hospital (KcSH) from December 3 to 5, 2010, at Kampung Bruit and Kampung Tekajong in Pulau Bruit found that from the 788 islanders screened, between 60 and 70 per cent were suffering from hypertension.

Surrounded by water on all sides and with sea water overflowing into the island whenever there is high tide, life is tough for the islanders comprising mainly Malanau Muslims who depend on fishing and sporadic padi farming for a living.

There are 13 villages in Pulau Bruit — Kampung Bruit, Kampung Tekajong, Kampung Semop, Kampung Penipah, Kampung Salah Kecil, Kampung Betanak, Kampung Penibong, Kampung Penuai, Kampung Sebako, Kampung Sedi, Kampung Kelai, Kampung Saai and Kampung Kut — with a total population of about 9,000.

Three other kampungs — Semulun, Tebuk and Nai — were abandoned with the villagers moving out of the island or into nearby villages.

BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK: The rural population is not immune to hypertension. Monitoring blood pressure is essential in controlling the condition.

With no treated water but frequent flooding of seawater, the island is a hostile place where only mangrove vegetation thrives while cultivation of vegetables and fruit trees has proven impossible.

What has been endangering the life of the islanders has not been the physical hostile environment but the food culture, resulting in many of them in their 30’s suffering from hypertension and other health problems.

With the cultivation of food crops, especially vegetables and fruits, severely affected by the infertile land, the islanders have traditionally been relying on the sea for sustenance during the fishing season and on salted fish and other preserved foods during the Monsoon when fishing is dangerous.

Salted fish has been the main cause of the common hypertension trend found in the majority of the islanders, according to Dr Eunice Melissa, one of the volunteer doctors in KcSH outreach project.

And due to widespread hypertension and diabetes cases, KcSH’s dentist Dr Patrick Tie Sing Ho who was also part of the KcSH medical outreach team, could not perform tooth extraction on the patients he saw on the island.

PRIMEVAL SPECIES: The first fossil pangolin was dated to early Pleistocene (Ice Ages) times of about one million years ago.

This mammal is a primeval species of anteater that has outlived its larger and now truly fossilised planet dwellers. The first fossil pangolin, found in a cave in India, has been dated to early Pleistocene (Ice Ages) times of about one million years ago.

How much longer will humans trap these docile and unobtrusive animals and, through illegal wildlife trafficking, trade them in black markets?

There are eight varieties of pangolin in the world. The African black bellied pangolin and the Chinese pangolin are arboreal creatures seldom leaving tree branches whilst the giant African pangolin is totally terrestrial in its movements along the forest floor.

Few writers on pangolins have ever witnessed them in rainforests or in plantations for essentially they are nocturnal arboreal dwellers. I first saw a pangolin and its two babies ensnared in a wire cage hidden behind a roadside vegetable stall along the Kudat-Kinabalu road in Sabah in 1999.

The poor creature was curled up in a ball, in total misery as youngsters prodded it with bamboo sticks – a horrific experience for me to observe but even worse for the imprisoned pangolin mother.

This scaly anteater belongs to an ancient order of mammals which, in late Victorian times, was classified under the order Edentata because they have no teeth. More recently, and not to be confused with sloths and armadillos, they have been reclassified under the order Philidota – because of their scales.

AT RISK: As its underparts are devoid of scaly armour, the pangolin is vulnerable to attack by clouded leopards, tigers and human poachers.

Robert WC Shelford in his book, based upon his observations as curator of the Sarawak Museum, ‘A Naturalist in Borneo’ (1916), gives a rare personal account of the behaviour of this extraordinary mammal.

With very strong and sharp claws, when descending from trees to the ground, the pangolin can dig a hole at tremendous speed and quickly disappear from view. This anteater is the only mammal with overlapping scales rather than hair on its body. The scales, in fact, are composed of consolidated hairs so compressed to create a body armour of keratin – the same material as a rhino’s horn.

The thick powerful claws allow the pangolin to dig deep into the soil to root out ant nests and shred termite mounds to pieces. Its short snout, with an amazing sense of smell combined with its long saliva sticky tongue, readily seeks out ants and swallows them whole.

Its thickly lidded eyes provide protection from ant bites and it is estimated that a pangolin can devour 20,000 ants each day. Its body length is up to 65 centimetres and weighing in at about 10kg, the pangolin is truly the pocket battleship of the rainforest.

Whilst its underparts are devoid of the scaly armour it carries on its head, back and tail, the pangolin is vulnerable to attack by clouded leopards, tigers and human poachers who, like the pangolin, are nocturnal hunters.

To protect itself from attack, a pangolin curls itself tightly into a ball not unlike centipedes when touched, but erects its scales in spine-like fashion resembling a pine cone. It also emits an odorous stench in skunk-like fashion from large anal glands.

By day, the pangolin sleeps in burrows or tree holes or amongst the foliage of epiphytes such as the bird’s nest fern. Its prehensile tail – up to 56 centimetres in length – and its sharp claws enable a slow but sure climb up tree trunks.

Little is known about this quiet, almost invisible, forest dweller. Its small eyes have never been researched to determine the actual strength of its eyesight but for sure it does possess good night vision.

An artful trickster, the pangolin can deceive a procession of ants along forest floors by pretending to be dead. It will lie across an ant trail in a motionless stance thus attracting the marauding ants to what they perceive to be a veritable feast.

Our pangolin has quietly and slightly opened its scales exposing its flesh. The ants creep in and with a vice-like closure the pangolin shuts its scales down entrapping the ants and then trundles off to the nearest waterhole, ditch or stream. There it arches its back while it dips underwater, opens its scales and the ants float off to the surface, allowing the pangolin to lick up its meal.

This mammal gives birth to one or two babies at a time in an underground nest and parents them for three to four months, carrying them around on the underside of her tail before releasing them to make their solitary ways in life.

Sadly, these unusual unique creatures are hunted for food, for their scales and their skins – all for superstitious reasons. The skins are sold on the black market for shoe manufacture; the scales are made into bracelets as charms for rheumatic fever sufferers.

Today the pangolin is classified as a threatened species of mammal and early in 2012 the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) set up the Pangolin Specialist Group at www.pangolinsg.org.

The Malaysian or Sunda pangolin may provide a short-lived household pet to rid wooden structured houses of potential termite destruction and ant invasions but these animals are no threat to humans nor do they offer any medicinal properties. They survive in captivity for less than a year whereas in their natural habitats they have a life expectancy for about 12 years.

Human predators, in the guise of poachers and destroyers of the pangolin’s natural habitat, are the greatest threat to these docile and unobtrusive mammals that are at rest with themselves, if undisturbed, in the forests and plantations.

A wildlife columnist in the UK’s ‘The Times’ newspaper recently concluded his article on these animals in a few but very pertinent words, “Pangolins are dying of human silliness!” With more research we may get to know them better and appreciate their coexistence with ourselves.

For more read: ‘A Naturalist in Borneo’ by Robert WC Shelford (1916 – Reprinted 1999) Natural History Publications, Kota Kinabalu; ‘Forest Life And Adventures In The Malaysian Archipelago’ by Dr Eric Mjoberg (1930), George Allen and Unwin, London; and ‘Pangolin trade in Sabah (PDF)’ WWF and Traffic Report (October 2010) at pangolins.org.

ROLL CALL: A group of veteran Chinese opera actors and actresses before the start of a show.

The Chinese opera is one such form of dramatic and musical theatre at grave risk of disappearing with the passage of time as society continues to evolve.

In 1950, the one and only Chinese opera troupe from Kuching — Yi Sing Fukien Dramatic Association — was formed, and after a span of six decades, is still performing today.

The association now has over 100 members, most of whom are veterans between 40 and 80 years old.

With the decline of this dramatic art form, perhaps this is the perfect time to revisit a proud tradition that has been entertaining the Chinese community for over a thousand years.

Chinese opera comes in many forms, separated by regions and dialects with the notable ones being Beijing Opera (Jingju), Cantonese Opera (Yueju), Sichuan Opera and Shanghai-based Kunqu Opera.

It is a form of story-telling that captures the imagination by combinating and turning dialogue, singing, music, acting, colourful costumes and make-up into a spectacular theatrical art form.

In Kuching, it is known as Gezai xi or Taiwanese Opera, making use of lively, folksy language with extensive use of Southern Fujianese dialectical terms.

Gezai xi has its roots in mainland China, having absorbed and combined several forms of performing arts and regional operas from the southern region of China’s Fujian Province. Performances were mainly held to accompany religious processions and temple fairs.

In the past, many female roles were played by males because there were no girls in the performing troupe.

CHEW EE SAN

“In the old days, women had to observe a very reserved and controlled conduct. They were not supposed to show their faces in the public,” recalled Sarawak’s Chinese opera pioneer, Chew Eee San, 80.

Chinese Opera places much emphasis on facial make-up (which could take hours to do) but it is particularly fascinating and rich in meaning.

“It is used to introduce characters, indicate personalities and differentiate between good and evil,” Chew explained.

There are generally four main roles in Chinese Opera — Sheng (male roles), Dan (female roles), Jing (painted face roles), and Hua Lian (clowns).

Each category is further subdivided into distinct types. White generally symbolises cunning, treachery and unthrustworthy behaviour whereas red stands for bravery and trust, blue for recklessness and black for integrity and justice.

Make-up also highlights the importance of emphasising the eyes which serve to direct the audience to important characters and objects in the play.

Costumes are enormously important as well in distinguishing the different groups of characters. All costumes have to be beautiful for poor or rich characters.

The brighter and more striking colours are for the rich and young while the poor, servants and elderly tend to wear brown and grey.

Starting point

Chinese opera in Sarawak started in 1950 during the state’s recovery from the Second World War as a leisure activity. At that time, TV was a luxury and Chinese language movies rarely shown in the cinemas.

Some 20 boys — mostly immigrants from China – got together to form a troupe and the Kuching Yi Sing Fukien Dramatic Association was registered in 1952.

Chew from Fujian, China, migrated here in 1949 at just 17 to reunite with his parents. He picked up the basics of Chinese opera when he was a little boy in China and he met the rest of the members here.

“It was more a hobby in the beginning but somehow, things got serious and Chinese opera has since become our passion,” he said.

The Yi Sing troupe made its debut during the birthday celebration of Kueh Seng Onn deity in 1950.

According to Chew, things were difficult at first without adequate funding and a proper place to practise.

Troupe members were not full-time actors as they all held permanent jobs but despite the obstacles, they devoted time and resources to pursue the hobby.

“We need money for costumes, make-up, props and so on. I even sewed our costumes back then,” Chew said, adding that his first job was as a tailor before switching to a barber.

“Also, we had no proper place keep the wardrobe and equipment. Practice usually took place at night and we made use of the space at the back of a soap factory at Padungan,” he recalled.

Fortunately, they were able to raise $3,200 (Malaysian dollars then) around the time they were pushing to get the association registered.

Their first post-registration performance was on Feb 20, 1952 — for two nights in a row. It was very well received and this motivated the troupe to do even better.

Thereafter, Gezai xi became the most popular form of entertainment for the local Chinese community.

It was sheer passion and perseverance that saw the troupe through the tough times but more importantly, according to Chew, they were enjoying “a life full of colours, excitement and adventure along with a little fame and reputation.”

Ups and downs

With a good reputation, the troupe received offers to do more and more shows in and around Kuching on several significant occasions in 1953.

In 1957, the troupe went to Sibu for their first major performance outside Kuching.

“It was dark during the journey and we got a bit worried but it was a great experience,” Chew remembered.

The shows were very successful, passing their running times with huge crowds in attendance.

“People asked for our autographs. We were like small-time celebrities,” Chew chuckled as he reminiscenced the past glory.

During their departure at the harbour, firecrackers were let off to bid them farewell

“We were very touched by the reception,” he added.

However, despite their popularity and more offers to stage performances, they were not making enough money. So the association formed a lion dance troupe in the 60’s to help make ends meet.

The year 1963 was good for the association as the two troupes – opera and lion dance – worked together to obtain some good funding.

Sadly though, without a permanent home, the association was like a snail without shell but the members did not throw in the towel — they supported each other through the lean times.

Finally a home

After years of struggling, the association finally bought a house at Jalan Ban Hock, Kuching, in 1969 which remains its permanent centre till today.

The centre serves as a venue for meetings and practice as well for keeping the wardrobe and general storage.

Framed black and white photos of actors and actresses adorn the walls beside countless awards and certificates of appreciation.

An antique salon chair, perhaps close to a century old, sits at one corner. All these bear testimomy to the rough and tumble the association has endured over the past 60 years … and prevailed.

Chew, a grandfather of 10, still works as a barber. He moved his salon to the association about three years ago.

Before this, he had been running a salon near Kuching High School for nearly 50 years.

“Now, most of my customers are regulars including Datuk Yong Khoon Seng,” he proudly declared.

Besides paid shows, the troupe also performed to help raise funds for charitable organisations like the Salvation Army apart from Chinese schools and disaster victims.

In later years, the association did receive some funding from the government in support and preservation of cultural and traditional arts.

However, Chew admitted it was difficult to promote such traditional art forms because young people lacked the interest — even more so now due to pressures of the modern world that is heavily influenced by western pop culture.

He added: “Perhaps one day, this house (centre) will be turned into a mini museum where Chinese opera and its memories and stories could be kept alive for the future generations to appreciate.”

SMALL AUDIENCE: A small group of ageing Chinese opera lovers — mostly family members or close friends – watching Gezai xi at the old theatre.

Uncertain future

Things started to change for Chinese opera and other traditional art forms in Sarawak in the late 70’s with the emergence of the cinema and other forms of entertainment such as karaoke and KTV.

Lifestyles were changing and moving at a much faster pace. Over time, the exponents of traditional art forms found themselves being increasingly edged out by modern entertainment and their popularity started to wane.

In 1978, the association decided to form a pop group to cater to the younger crowd. While the pop group hogged the limelight, the opera troupe was tucked away on the backburner. But the pop group’s popularity was short-lived. Before long, people forgot about it.

The fate of Chinese opera was not getting any rosier either. Audiences who favoured more lively bands, slowly disappeared from Chinese opera shows while traditional lovers of Chinese opera became a dying breed.

Most worrisome of all, the ageing traditional Chinese opera fans are not being replaced by the younger generation who have difficulties accepting what must be to them a dull performing art form.

“We do realise Chinese opera is a dying art and we have tried hard to revive it. I think the main problem is the new generation have been influenced by modern lifestyles. They have lost touch with the tradition, unable to appreciate this form of art,” Chew lamented.

Perhaps, what he said is true. Disinterest among the upcoming generation is ringing the death knell of this once popular dramatic art form.

Chinese opera cannot fit into the local theatrical scene, having long lost its charm and appeal. Rock, pop and rap music and street dancing have all but taken over.

The pioneers are at loss on how to save or preserve Chinese opera whose future seems bleaker than ever.

“I don’t know what to do. The younger generation are not interested,” Chew said when asked for his thoughts on the dying traditional art form.

It is difficult to express in words the feeling of loss over something people, especially from the Chinese community, have been fond of for six decades.

While realising Chinese opera has long passed its golden age, some still cling on to the faint hope that this ‘cultural treasure’ can still be preserved.

Chinese opera today

CHINESE OPERA: Actors and actresses performing in a play called A Broken Mirror Made Whole Again (po jing chongyuan) lasting about two hours. The acting was emphasised by gestures, footwork, and other body movements.

After 60 years, there is still a glaring lack of “new blood” in the Yi Sing troupe. The same group of veterans (between 40 and 80 years old) — even those working behind the scene — are still around to carry on the tradition and unlikely to put up their feet in the foreseeable future.

Performances are only staged during important religious celebrations such as the birthdays of deities to make the entertainment merrier.

The old theatre opposite the Kueh Seng Onn Temple, owned by the Kuching Hokkien Association, at Leboh Wayang, is the only venue where Chinese opera is still staged today.

In recent years, an old bazaar cafe operating within the compound of the theatre has brought new night life back to this deserted place which only lights up when a show is scheduled.

Last October, the troupe staged a performance called A Broken Mirror Made Whole Again (po jing chongyuan) — probably its last for the year.

It told a story about a couple reuniting after a long separation. The script was different from the original although the gist remained the same.

“We could have written and rewritten over 200 original plays,” Chew said.

Before the show began, a ritual was performed to thank and honour the gods and deities.

Set against a grand backdrop, the show featured performers with diversified facial make-up and wearing colourful and embellished traditional Chinese costumes.

A small group of traditional Chinese musicians accompanied the performance from backstage.

I have to admit I did not understand most of the play because first, I could hardly hear the performers and secondly, the Hokkien used was different from the Hokkien we converse in.

It seemed the performers no longer took the acting seriously as most of the play was acted out in a rather spontaneous manner.

Like the fading colours of the costumes, the make-up had been toned down or simply done, the voices of the performers had lost their clarity and their ageing bones no longer permitted them to move about well.

But who could blame them? Opportunities for them to appear on stage were limited to probably fewer than 10 times a year during the three most important annual temple festivals.

More importantly, they were contented and happy to be where they were — laughing and enjoying their moment on stage while entertaining a small audience of mostly families, close friends and the few customers hanging out at the cafe.

A little reflection

Traditional Chinese opera is in dire need of a revamp. Perhaps the Yi Sing troupe could consider fusing traditional Chinese opera with modern story-telling and other theatrical effects to create an original repertoire to appeal to contemporary audiences.

Musicwise, it can feature elements of modern tunes besides using classical intruments such as flutes and fiddles.

Certainly, passionate, talented, creative and inspirational new blood is needed to revive and popularise this dying ancient art and guide it towards new direction.

RICKETY: The present Sihan longhouse at Rumah Sihan, some 25km from Belaga Town.

Moreover, they spoke fluent Iban. In fact, the whole conversation thereafter was conducted in Iban — and a smattering of Malay.

Magui Muling, 63, the only Sihan community headman, said they had assimilated into the much bigger ethnic groups in Belaga such as the Kayans, Kenyahs, Ibans and even Penans.

MAGUI MULING — Sihan headman

He even admitted there was nothing much he could do to stop the ‘absorption’ process and all they had now was their language and themselves.

The Sihans, now numbering fewer than 300, are fighting for their very survival, especially their identity, since their traditions and customs are long long.

The Sihans, along with the Bhukets and Sepings, are categorised as one of the few tribes in the state that are most vulnerable to extinction if their present livelihood is not preserved.

Magui revealed that his community had discarded their previous adat burung (bird tradition which is actually animism) to embrace Christianity. Most are Catholics and SIB members.

He even revealed his son, Minggu, now a headman in a Penan longhouse at the Asap Resettlement Scheme, has been assimilated into that community.

“The only legacy we have now is our language. Apart from that, we no longer have any traditions or culture because we have assimilated into the other Orang Ulu groups such as the Kayans, Kenyahs, Ibans and even the Penans in terms of traditional costumes, music and dances, handicrafts and even arts (tattoos),” Magui told thesundaypost at Rumah Sihan.

Hardships and pressures

He said he had advised the younger generation to have bigger families in order to preserve their race but many prefer smaller families due to hardships and pressures in raising children.

Magui’s neighbour, Sait ak Siden, in his 40’s, and his wife, Ara Chanlai, also in her 40’s, said they could not agree more with their longhouse chief, pointing out that their very own daughter Mary Sait, 21, had just become a single mother after her husband left her and she has a one-year-old baby girl named Masahira staying with them.

“We are in a very difficult situation. All we want is to survive like the other races. But what can we do if we are already in such a predicament,” they lamented.

KING OF FRUITS: A pair of durians on the stem of a tree.

Normally, a bountiful harvest is a windfall to farmers and cultivators but this year, you can find durians selling everywhere at almost give-away prices — as low as 50 sen each in some places!

This is especially true in areas close to the source of durians such as Batu Niah and Marudi where planters lamented the low prices fetched in local markets — so the ‘royal fruits’ had to be sold further away in bigger towns and cities.

On one such occasion, thesundaypost was invited to join a trip to a durian orchard at Batu Niah, about an hour’s drive from Miri city.

The orchard owner decided it was no longer worthwhile selling the thorny and strong smelling fruits due to prevailing low prices, preferring to give them away to friends and relatives.

The oversupply of the once pricey and much sought after fruits was thought to correlate with abundant harvests that coincided with the Monsoon towards end of the year. The wet season is usually credited with bringing down the fruits during the night when it rained.

The rain had to be just right — not too heavy nor too light, and by the next morning, there would be plenty of fruits for the picking right off the ground.

So on a fine Sunday morning, I set out on my first trip to explore a durian orchard in Sarawak. I had been to durian orchards before but never really explored the ground for the fruits.

It was a relaxing solo drive along the coastal road through Bakam to the orchard belonging to Lim Khim Boon who owns eight acres of the land, previously planted with some 300 durian trees and later replanted with oil palms when the commodity fetched good prices.

However, about 100 durian trees and a few other types of fruit trees were left untouched for visitors, creating a somewhat interesting plantation-cum-orchard.

Our harvesting point or base was a birdnest building constructed two years ago. It provided a convenient shelter for visitors.

“We never had to worry about theft around here. The local folks are honest people who will never steal fruits at Batu Niah,” said the owner who generously gave away durians and other fruits to visitors at the end of the visit.

Start of adventure

COLLECTING DURIANS: Visitors collecting durians at the orchard.

Some wood was burnt to drive away mosquitos while we started out on an adventure to explore the orchard and collect durians.

The mixed oil palm and durian orchard provides an unusual setting in an area with sloping terrain, occasionally combined with other types of fruit trees — especially rambutan, duku langsat, duku, cocoa, papaya — and crops like corn and vegetables.

There is even a pond where some of the best durians are found growing on overhanging branches. One may need a long wooden pole to fish a fallen fruit out of the water.

Durians were literally everywhere — from the ground to the water where they had fallen.

As for the danger of being hit on the head by a falling fruit, we were assured it was very rare — as if durians have eyes and they don’t like falling on people’s heads!

In fact, throughout our exploration, we did not see any durians falling. We simply picked the fruits off the ground and piled them up at a convenient spot for collection into baskets later.

However, it is not advisable to venture out at night without wearing helmets when durians are expected to fall — and it is
very painful indeed to get a direct hit!

Large rattan baskets strapped over our back were used to transport the durians back to base. Plastic bags would not do as the thorns would poke through them and pierce our back.

After a few durian-harvesting trips, we settled down to remove leaves stuck to the thorns before distributing the fruits among us. Of course, we could not resist opening up some fruits to feast on the succulent flesh on the spot.

The excitement was in discovering the types of durians, and comparing their qualities — an almost fun ritual.

“We planted only the local varieties we could find in the local market though I had also tried crossing some with indigenous species like durian ukak which produces quite unique and good tasting fruits,” said Lim who stays with his family a short drive down Sepupok Road at Batu Niah.

Apart from looking for durians, we also sought out the “best” rambutan trees near the pond where some of the best durians (yellow-flesh variety) could be found as well.

I had the chance to try some duku-langsat and duku fruits while exploring the orchard. I also spotted other fruit trees and plants such as papaya, jambu, guava, mangosteen, cocoa, corn and vegetables.

As for the king of fruits, the drastic drop in price means durian lovers can enjoy their favourite fruits at much more affordable price this year. Bon appetit!

Willy Khow

Nowadays, it is not uncommon to find many trendy teenagers and adults sporting the latest in fashionable eyewear straight from the catwalks of Europe and the US even though they may not need the aid of corrective eyewear.

Eyesight Optic (EO) founder and managing director Willy Khow who has been in the industry for 16 years, said with an increasingly wide range of affordable designs in the market, spectacles and contact lenses have become an indispensable accessory for the fashion-conscious.

Khow sees great potential for the market in Kuching. In fact, EO had just opened its ninth outlet in Kuching at the newly launched Plaza Merdeka shopping mall earlier this month.

“Our concept is targetted more towards youngsters and the fashion-conscious, so shopping malls are the best locations for us to be,” Khow said recently at the gleaming new outlet.

“We believe Kuching market has great potential, so we are targetting growth here. In future, we are looking to expand our outlets to Sibu and Miri.”

Humble beginnings

In 2006, Perak-born Khow opened the first EO outlet in Sarawak Plaza, Kuching, in quite a different market environment than what it is today.

Shopping malls and suitable retail space were limited in Kuching as were the number of spectacle models and brands.

However, Khow persisted through the challenges, believing he was on the right track with his business plans and strategy.

Today, with 12 eyewear retail outlets throughout the state under his management, this shrewd businessman is not showing any signs of slowing down.

In addition to owning eight EO outlets in strategic locations throughout Kuching, Khow operates three sister companies – Insight Eyewear, Expert Optical and Opticfair.

The sole EO outlet outside Kuching is in Sibu.

Khow said he is “very positive” about the local industry’s potential. He plans to continue expanding the company and has Miri and Sibu firmly set in his sights. He is also exploring the possibility of joint ventures with staff to open new outlets or franchises by 2015.

What customers want

The company’s thriving longevity did not happen by chance or overnight.

One of the main reasons they have stayed ahead of the competition and secured their position as one of the largest eyewear retail outlet chains in Sarawak is their focus on providing customers with quality products at affordable prices and consistently high standards of customer service.

“Our approach is that we are no more selling spectacles but products and information. Customers want fashion, comfort and professional services. They also want convenience,” Khow shared.

To cater to the wide range of customer needs and high demand for choice, each EO outlet stocks over 200 product brands and carries between 2,500 and 3,000 frames alone.

“We get all our products from authorised dealers, so we can guarantee that it is the original product,” he said.

The company has also invested in a customer information database which stores specific data such as the degree of their prescription lenses.

This database is shared between each outlet so that customers can visit any EO outlet at their convenience and be assured of consistent, continuous service.

“We have at least one or two licensed professionals stationed at every shop to help guide our customers.

“These staffs have obtained their qualifications from industry-recognised bodies such as the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Twintech College, and Axismatics Professional Institute,” Khow said, adding that they had to fulfill certain conditions in order for their government licence to be renewed annually.

“Our staff are also trained by our principal suppliers whenever new products with new features are released from time to time. This way, we are always conversant and knowledgeable on different styles and latest product knowledge.”

Current trends

Spectacles are increasingly becoming a fashion statement among the younger generation with one individual tending to own multiple sets instead of just one or two.

People now want to have different designs and colours to match the different styles, depending on factors such as what image they want to project and for which occasion.

The hottest trend in the market now is plastic frames — reminiscent of the retro styles sported a generation ago.

“However, these plastic frames are different because not only are they more colourful, lightweight and durable but also more comfortable and fit into the latest fashion trends,” Khow said, adding that customer behaviour had also changed with the times.

“Many customers now actually don’t want luxury. They want affordability and they will buy products that are fashionable.”

A key part of EO’s business strategy focuses on sales promotions that encourage high product turnover, which in turn, allows them to buy in bulk for lower prices, and thus, pass savings on to their customers.

“We want to offer the best deals we can to customers. That’s why we have promotions such as special student packages of RM99 and RM188 for frames and lenses,” he explained.

Operating on a large scale means EO is able to channel significant contributions back to society.

Every year, the company donates hundreds of frames, sunglasses and other eyewear products to students and charity organisations.

They have also sponsored a number of beauty contests, including as a long-time sponsor (7 years) of the SEDC-organised Miss Fair & Lovely beauty contest.

Special offer

In conjunction with the opening of its latest outlet at Plaza Merdeka, EO is offering a 50-percent discount on all spectacle frames purchased at that outlet. Customers will be spoilt for choice with a wide range of international brand names such as Guess, Gucci, Dior, Police and Rayban to select from.

“We want to thank our customers and clients for their support. We wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t not for them,” Khow said.

The promotion runs from now until Dec 31 and is only valid for the Plaza Merdeka outlet.

EO is open seven days a week from 10am to 10pm. Besides the new outlet at Plaza Merdeka, they also have outlets conveniently located at Riverside Shopping Complex, Boulevard Shopping Mall, tHe Spring, Giant (Tabuan, Padawan, Sibu), Tabuan Plaza, Wisma Wan Shopping Mall, and E-Mart Matang.

For more information, visit their website at www.eyesightoptic.com.

FOCAL POINT: The Seping population is concentrated mainly at the Uma Seping Long Bala longhouse with 26 families.

The Seping tribe killed a dragon and cooked it. As a result, their seven longhouses either turned into stone or were swept downriver by a gigantic flood.

All the people perished, except two – a brother and a sister. They fled up the Penyuan, a true left-bank tributary of the Belaga River.

After years of roaming the jungle, the siblings became adults, lived as husband and wife, begot many offspring and revived a new Seping community.

The group lived for many years along the Seping River, a tributary of the Belepeh, which, in turn, is a tributary of the Murum that flows into the Balui, according to the Notes on the Sepings of Belaga District, Sarawak, by Jayl Langub, now a research fellow at Unimas.

Like any civilisations, the Sepings have their own folklores about their origin. Though these legends are interesting, the community are far from plentiful. In fact, the total population has shrunk to about 300.

While big tribes like the Penans with their total population of 17,784 are catching the government’s and
international attention, small vanishing tribes like the Sepings are facing a natural death with the assimilation of their culture and traditions into the bigger or stronger neighbouring tribes, especially the Kenyahs and
the Kayans.

In the Uma Seping longhouse of Long Bala, the biggest settlement of the dwindling tribal community, there are only 26 families with a total population of 216. About 100 more Sepings are found at the other settlement of Long Koyan Lama. In all, there are roughly 300 Sepings left in the world today!

LIMITED: The longboat is the only other form of transport to Long Bala – besides travelling on foot.

The Sepings are said to be the earliest tribe to inhabit the areas around the Belaga River.

Uma Seping Long Bala headman, Lenjau Lian, said there were once 22 Seping longhouses but that was a long time ago – and they now exist only in his memory.

SEPING HEADMAN:
Lejau Lenjau Lian is the
12th headman of Uma Seping Long Bala.

“I remember there were more of us back then. But now, our number has become very small. As longhouse chief, it’s my wish to see the Sepings continue to live and thrive,” the 70-year-old said.

He attributed the population decline to the supertitious practice of memali or cursing.

“Long time ago, whenever we had land disputes among our people, we always resorted to killing dogs and heaping curses on the other parties.

“That, I believe, had caused a lot deaths within our community. Over the years, many had died of severe headaches, stomachaches and other sicknesses, reducing our numbers to a mere few hundred,” Lenjau told thesundaypost at his longhouse, about 10-minute drive by 4WD from Sungai Asap Resettlement Scheme.

Loss of culture

He said as a small community, the Sepings were gradually losing their culture and traditions through assimilation into those of the Kenyahs and the Kayans.

“We don’t have our own music, dances, costumes, wedding ceremonies or death rituals anymore. The ceremonial practices for occasions like weddings and deaths usually belong to the other tribes, especially the Kayans and the Kenyahs.”

According to Lenjau, hitting the floor with a pole and rotating the pole is something the community still practise during a funeral wake “to make the death a happy one.”

However, he could not even recall the name of the practice, only describing as Kajang in nature but not Seping in originality.

He did not mention the secondary burial practised long time ago by the Seping keta’ak (aristocracy) where the bones of the deceased were cleaned and stored in a jar which was then placed on top of a carved belian burial pillar known as salong.

The Sepings also used to practise the tradition of parap – epic recitation. However, it was only done in Kenyah tongue which even Lenjau finds it ironic.

“The last person who knew how to parap had passed away already. Now, there is no one in our longhouse who knows how to do it. Many of our practices – even those borrowed from other tribes – have disappeared,” Lenjau lamented.

Since the time of their leader Lakui who moved the community from the Seping River to the Belaga River to settle down as one group, there have been 12 longhouse headmen, including Lenjau, the present one.

Lenjau, who is from the keta’ak, said the caste system was no longer practised by the Sepings but the longhouse headman must still come from this particular social stratum (keta’ak).

Bungan abandoned

He also said the community had been sharing the same religion – Bungan – as the bigger groups like the Kayans and Kenyahs.

However, since accepting Roman Catholism in 1966, the community have abandoned the Bungan religion and no longer practise the adat burung (bird tradition) where all tasks are forbidden if an eagle or any other bird is making “a peculiar noise” and if a deer (kijang) is barking.

CLOSE BY: The Uma Seping Long Bala settlement is about 10-minute-drive from the Sungai Asap Resettlement Scheme.

“We don’t celebrate Gawai like the rest of the Dayaks. We only celebrate Easter Day and Christmas,” Lenjau added.

Although losing most of their culture, the Sepings still retain their language – a mixture of Kayan, Kenyah, Penan and Kejaman.

“According to our folklore, in the beginning when language was given to the tribes, all of them chose their language except the Sepings and the Lahanans (another tribe).

“So the gods picked parts from each language and gave the Sepings and the Lahanans their own speech. That’s why the Seping-Lahanan tongue is a mixture of other tribal languages,” Lenjau explained.

Although the Sepings were the earliest settlers around the Belaga River, they were surrounded as early as 1938 by the Kenyahs.

It is not surprising that as a small community, they were slowly losing their identity in face of the stronger culture of their bigger Kenyah neighbours whose large settlement encircled that of the much smaller Seping community.

Despite having a diluted culture, the Sepings still identify themselves as a distinct group, different from their other ethnic neighbours.

And according to Jayl Langub, as long as they maintain their group name, common ancestry, shared attachment to a specific territory, shared culture and language and awareness of ethnicity, the community can still be considered an ethnic group with their identity intact.

Rethinking their future

VISIONARY: Louis Lenjau has a vision to develop his community through agricultural development, especially palm oil cultivation.

In recent years, with construction of the Bakun Dam, the opening of Sungai Asap Resettlement for the 15 communities affected by the hydroelectricity project as well development of palm oil plantations on their ancestral land which they have been occupying for centuries, the Sepings found themselves surrounded by even more aggressive neighbours.

The progress of the other bigger tribes and the cultivation of palm oil plantations have forced the younger generation of Sepings to rethink their own future and the fate of their community.

Lenjau’s son Louis Lenjau, probably the best educated Seping, recently left his job at Borneo Height Resort after 17 years to return to his hometown of Uma Seping in Long Bala to rebuild his own community.

With an agriculture science degree from Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, the 45-year-old hopes to transform his people through oil palm plantations.

Noting that his community have been sidelined due to their small number and lack of representation, Louis has voiced out their needs and called for government intervention to provide basic facilities such as treated water, electricity and roads as well assistance in rebuilding their present longhouse.

PLEASING THE DEAD: The ritual to please the dead – which Lenjau Lian could not name – being demonstrated here by Seping teenagers and their elder.

What is most impressive about the Sepings is not just their determination to keep their ethnicity intact but also that a new generation, represented by the likes of Louis, is working hard to earn a decent living on top of having a vision to change their community.

“We believe in working hard to survive and survive well. But we also hope the government will help us rebuild our community by providing the necessary infrastructure,” Louis said.

The community – though small and claimed to be behind the other communities by 30 years – have shown maturity in their handling cash.

When the community gave up part of their native customary rights (NCR) land for the development of Sungai Asap Resettlement scheme, they were compensated RM600,000.

After allocating RM2,000 per head, they invested the rest of the money long-term until 2010 – and today, the investment has swollen to RM1 million.

“Our community may not be well-educated now but we are most willing to learn and will continue to transform our community through emphasis on education and adopting good values from the other cultures such as diligence and thriftiness without foregoing our identity,” Louis said.

PRETTY BLOOMS: Orchids on display at the show.

Do you want to know more about soiless potting mix? What ideas would you like to gather on agrotourism?

If you have more than 20 acres of land lying idle, would you like to grow gaharu, the newest green gold?

MAHA International 2012 is Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism International Show. This biggest Malaysian agricultural show was held at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang in Selangor from Nov 23 to Dec 2.

The MAHA Exposition biennial series is the country’s leading agricultural show. Hosted by the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries Ministry, it certainly is among the largest and most comprehensive of its kind in the region, if not Asia, according to one of the pamphlets given out.

Thousands of young bright-eyed volunteers had come to work at the MAHA Park, at the same time learning from the valuable exposure.

While friends and relatives came to support those who had won prizes in the Agriculture Technology and Innovation Competitions and Product Competitions, the Agro Bazaar was an eye opening experience for hobbyists and Malaysians seeking a good bargain.

A visit on the penultimate day (Dec 1) was a revelation. What a gargantuan show!

OUTDOOR TOUR: A tractor-drawn mini-bus taking visitors on an outdoor tour of the exhibition area.

Special day

A family of three generations of Malaysians queued up patiently to take the shuttle from the carpark to this biennial show. Two shuttle buses passed by packed to the ceiling with more than 40 passengers each.

As the family moved slowly to the front of the queue, the grandfather said: “My friends from Kedah will also come. We had been coming for the past several shows. In the future, I think my children will come on their own. It’s something very good. I encourage it.”

The old-timer revealed this was his fourth attendance at the show. And this time around, he was introducing the show to his new son-in-law (and the new-born baby) – it was going to be a good educational outing for the family.

A haji and his wife enjoyed the laksa made specially for the 2,000-table tented food court that catered to visitors from all over the country.

He spoke excellent English and went off to buy plated food for himself and what his wife told him to get — a bowl of laksa at the furthest stall.

A group of Sarawakians enjoyed their food, sharing the table with the haji and his wife. The former ordered otak otak, satay and duck rice.

Soon the kind gentleman arrived with a bowl of laksa for the haji’s wife and a plate of mixed rice for the haji.

In typical Malaysian courteous manner, the haji jemput makan. In response, the Sarawakians were happy to let him know they had had their fill of duck rice and other delicacies.

“It’s very nice to meet friendly people from Sarawak today. And we share a table here. Who knows my wife and I will visit Miri and Kuching in the future. God willing,” he said.

The MAHA gave people of all races the opportunity to share a table and make polite conservation.

Exceptional booths

Two exceptional show booths received a lot of visitors, according to MAHA volunteers.

The Gaharu booth attracted many callers, so did the Palm Oil Cooking Oil booth which, among others, staged a demo by local famous chef Florence Tan who graciously allowed visitors to take photos with her while she was articulating the finer points of her scrumptious nyonya chicken curry.

Had the area been bigger, a few hundred people would have queued up to get a free plate of her curry for lunch at the end of her cooking demo.

SPECIAL DISH: A nyonya curry cooking demo in progress.

The friendly Florence gave lots of tips on how best to cook nyonya curry. Furthermore, her neat and nice hairstyle and admirable kebaya made housewives realise that cooking need not necessarily make one a dull and untidy looking female (or male).

At the gaharu booth, an effable Suhaimi explained how inoculation and inducement could be done on a plant. The display shelf contained enough gaharu to buy a new Proton Saga!

One of the volunteers suggested that visitors should join the Seminar Gaharu, Seminar Kebangsaan Dan Pameran Gaharu 2012, sponsored by Fakulti Perhutanan UPM at Fakulti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Selangor, on December 18 and 19, 2012. The fees are RM650 per person.

Youthful volunteers from all over Malaysia who are students of UPM, gathered around to help Suhaimi out.

Some visitors even put down their contacts and details for growing gaharu as a joint venture with UPM.

It was an amazing experience visiting all the booths at the Park. A visitor remarked one day was actually not enough to visit all the booths and sections.

Congratulations to Senia Juni who won first and third prizes for basketry. She did Sarawak proud with her works.

In the basketry and weaving section, many women gathered to admire the fine works of the craftsmen and craftswomen. The section was called the Prizes Section where works of the winners were displayed.

A final place to visit was the Agro Bazaar where fruits, fruit trees and flowering plants could be purchased.

Horticulturalists and orchard owners quickly sold off their displays and prized plants.

Healthy plants were quickly snapped up and fruits, opened up and displayed in well-packed cling filmed boxes, were also taken up in a jiffy.

Musang King durians were sold at RM10 per pack — almost 50 per cent of the public price. Heavily laden with purchases, it was not easy to walk all the way to the meeting point to take the shuttle back to the carpark.

Those coming to gather ideas collected lots of brochures for referencing. Many enterprising business people might have also made contact with the right people for the future of agriculture in their respective states.

Visitors who spent one hot (probably 40 degrees celcius) day with their children in tow or their babies in prams, left the Park happy and very satisfied.

The next MAHA will be held at the same place in 2014.

DEDICATED: Ting always on the go.

No sacrifice is too big for the Sarawak Schools Sports Council (MSSM) technical committee chairman when it comes to sports excellence.

The 57-year-old, who is principal of SJK © Methodist, Sibu, is determined to help the state athletic team reach their full potential, and for more than 37 years, Ting, who doubles as coach, has been working tirelessly to carve a name for Sarawak as athletic powerhouse in the country.

Rain or shine, he will be present at the sports stadium to offer a ready hand during competitions such as the annual Sarawak Open Athletic Meet, the Sarawak Closed, the Inter-Division or the Inter-Schools Championship.

It would be hard not to notice the ubiquitous Ting in his trademark white long-sleeved shirt and a sports cap, giving organisational tips to sports officials around the field.

Such is the never-say-die spirit of the man whose deep sense of volunteerism in the name sports promotion has won him the admiration and respect of other athletic coaches.

“As long as I can walk, talk and think properly – and as long as my service is needed – I will continue encouraging the young to take up sports to help shape their character. It’s not about money.

“So long as I have sufficient income to maintain my family, it’s more than enough,” he told thesundaypost.

Exemplary accolade

For his contributions as a sports leader, Ting picked up the Primary School Co-curriculum Exemplary accolade at the recent 20th Sarawak Chief Minister’s Special Awards presentation in Kuching.

The Award was due recognition of his enormous contributions towards improving the standards of the schools he previously taught at, especially in the development of athletics.

In 1997, Ting was appointed MSSM technical committee chairman – a post he has held until now. And during that time, he has led the state contingent to victory in the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) Track and Field Championships for a record 13 times.

Since his appointment, Sarawak has won the MSSM Track and Field Championship overall titles from 1997 to 1999; 2002 to 2008 and 2010 to 2012.

Ting is grateful to the government for rewarding his contributions, saying he will always cherish the recognition.

“Hopefully, this award will inspire other teachers, especially athletic coaches, to come forward and help with the various sports development programmes to cement Sarawak’s reputation as a sports powerhouse.”

Over the years, Ting said many good athletic coaches faded away after failing to receive any type of recognition or encouragement from the government.

Friendly and unassuming, he said his love for athletics was what drove him on, adding that he would not rest on his laurels.

“Looking after young athletes and guiding them to success have become second nature to me – like fishing or collecting stamps to some people. Knowing that my protégés have won medals is my greatest satisfaction. I couldn’t ask for more.”
Ting was first posted to SMK Marudi in 1978 where he taught till 1980.

Before that, SMK Marudi hardly shone in any athletic championships but two years under his tutelage, the school went through a new phase of sports development, emerging champions in the Miri Division Inter-School Athletic Championship for the first time in 1980.

Ting was transferred to SMK St Elizabeth in 1981 where he taught until 1988 and while there, he was again instrumental in building up the school’s athletic team.

Like the phoenix, SMK St Elizabeth rose from the ashes, and the girls there appeared unbeatable, grabbing the Overall Champion title in the Sibu Division Inter-School Athletic Championship for a record six times running – from 1983 to 1988.

It is an achievement yet to be surpassed and though SMK St Elizabeth athletes are still dominant, it is hard for them to emulate their feats of the 1980’s.

After SMK St Elizabeth, Ting was transferred to work as an education officer in Julau District Council from 1989 to 1992.

In 1993, he was promoted as a principal of SJK © Chung Hua, Miri, where he worked until 1997 before being transferred back to Sibu as principal of SK Perbandaran No. 2 from July 1997 to 2002.

In 2003, he was transferred to SJK © Thai Kwang, SJK © Uk Daik (2010- 2011) and SJK © Methodist (2012).

VICTORIOUS: The victorious Sarawak team in MSSM Meet in Melaka.

Coaching certificate

In between, Ting went to Kuching for the Level 1 coaching course and he received his coaching certificate in 1996.

Since being promoted as a principal, Ting admitted he rarely had time for active coaching but said he still had time to attend athletic championships – something he would not want to miss.

Easily a first class-class coach, Ting has over the years produced hundreds of athletes of national and international calibre – among them champions like Luciana Lau, Choo Ngiik Hung and the late Winnie Tang Chui Fung who created waves of the 1980’s. Winnie represented the country in the 1,500m at the SEA Games.

Thrower Tiang Pik Yong is another of Ting’s outstanding athlete and he represented the country at the Asian Games.

With his burning passion for athletics, there is no doubting Ting’s sincerity in bringing the sport in the state to greater heights.

“It’s in my blood and deep down, there is this urge to work harder and share my experience with other state athletic coaches willing to take over the mantle when I retire,’ he added.

Ting is also the first Sarawak athletic coach to bring four state athletes to represent Malaysia at the Asian Schools Cross Country Championship in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, from June 24 to 28 last year.

They returned with the overall third placing in the girl’s category.

In 1998, Ting was awarded  the Kebesaran Negri Bintang Sarawak (BBS) by the state government for his service in the education sector.

Ting is always on the go. During his spare time, he will go and jog at the Bukit Lima Forest Reserve Park.

“There are lots of things to do – no time to waste one’s thoughts on retirement.”

Ting said he would continue exploring new frontiers to promote sports development in the state in particular, and Sibu in general.

As Sibu Division Amateur Athletic Association (SDAAA) secretary, he said the power vested in them to make decisions on state policies on athletics development was limited.

However, he hoped all the divisional associations would  work together to sustain Sarawak’s supremacy in  athletics for many years to  come.

HAPPY COUPLE: Donald in a wheelchair with his wife Magdalene standing behind him.

DONALD Law Hieng Sui was born with a congenital bone disease — osteogenesis imperfecta – a condition that has confined him to a wheelchair for life.

As he is unable to make use of his legs, mobility is an issue and one of the many barriers he has to put up with.

One way for people with such an affliction to move forward and be independent is to have their own transport – such as a car, for instance.

“This is because we still cannot rely on public transport like bus. The facilities are not there yet,” Donald told thesundaypost over a cup of coffee.

“I hope, the authorities will, look into this matter more seriously because it will help enhance the mobility of the disabled,” the 40-year-old said.

Presently, Donald is among the few licensed special needs car owners in the city. He hopes there will be more soon.

Before we arrived at the coffeeshop for the interview, it was a new experience for me to be travelling in a car, driven by a disabled person.

There wasn’t much difference except the driver used one hand to steer and the other hand to control the accelerator and brake levers.

Donald is courteous on the road – he follows the traffic rules. You would not think the car was driven by a disabled person unless you were sitting beside him.

“I taught myself to drive after I bought a car in 2003 because back then, there were no driving lessons for the disabled. Also, special needs people did not own cars at the time,” he related.

He used to follow his friends for car rides and watch closely their every move at the wheel, saying: “I did that not only to gain confidence but also get a feel of what it’s like to be a driver.”

Subsequently, he sent his car (a Kancil) for modification and shortly after, plucked up the courage to drive on his own. Almost a year later (2004), he sat for his test and got a driving licence (for the disabled).

“Passing my driving test is a great thrill. It means I can go where I want in my car. At least, I have a chance to progress in life and do not always have to rely on others,” he said.

He advised disabled ‘L’ drivers not to let their handicaps hold them back, stressing they should be composed and confident while on the road.

Before he could drive, Donald was brought around in the van belonging to the Cheshire Home where he was a resident.

Early life

Donald was born in Sibu. Later, his carpenter father moved to Sri Aman in search of greener pastures – and since then, the family have been living there.

When Donald was six, the doctor advised his parents he would be better off staying at the Cheshire Home in Kuching because of his condition.

The young Donald, fourth in a family of nine siblings — five brothers and four sisters — had to adapt to a new environment, and staying at the Home helped him to become more independent and to face the reality of being different from normal children.

He discovered he was different when he was seven. He could not walk and had to use a wheelchair but now, he makes light of his condition, saying his disability does not matter all that much anymore.

“It’s no longer important as long as we are happy and can do the things we want,” he added.

NORTHERN VISITOR: The Grey-faced Buzzard breeds in far-eastern Russia, northern China, Korea and Japan, but spends the winter in Southeast Asia and as far east as New Guinea.

Black Bazas are out-of-the-ordinary raptors. What is a raptor? A raptor is a bird that hunts for prey such as small mammals (eg rats or mice), fish, or reptiles (eg snakes), using incredibly good eyesight, very sharp talons (claws) and astonishing agility in flight.

A good number of Asian raptor species migrate: they breed in northern areas including Siberia, Japan, and northern China. During the Northern Hemisphere summer, they fly southward before the winter begins to warmer (sub) tropical areas, including Malaysia and Indonesia; they then fly northward again anticipating the onset of summer.

Black Bazas (Aviceda leuphotes) are relatively small compared to other raptors with a wingspan of up to 74 centimetres and are most often seen as tiny black dots high in the sky, beyond the range of most cameras fitted with telephoto lenses.

ELEGANT LINES: The Black Baza is among the most beautiful birds of prey. It flies with short flaps interspersed with glides.

But this early morning they were very near the treetops. Perhaps they had just left the place where they rested for the night and were looking for rising warm-air currents that would carry them up high for their long flight south. The sun was lighting their wings from below, showing the handsome pattern of black wing coverts, wingtips and under tail coverts, contrasting with a white breast band and whitish underparts, marked with reddish bars on the belly. And not only are these birds handsome, but they migrate each year in huge numbers.

We were at the brand-new Chumphon Raptor Education and Research Centre at 160 metres up Pencil Hill, a unique 343-metre tall hill in the plains of Peninsular Thailand (the Isthmus of Kra), overlooking the Bay of Thailand, near the small town of Chumphon.

This new facility was inaugurated on Oct 21, while several hundred local and visiting birdwatchers, Chumphon residents and local school children from the environmental group Young Raptors, Safe Earth, were looking on. Traditional Thai music and dancing accompanied the event.

Pencil Hill (Khao Dinsor in Thai) is unique because it is here that yearly, from late September to early November, some 200,000 birds of prey are counted. This includes the most concentrated movement of Black Bazas witnessed anywhere.

The Raptor Study Centre on Pencil Hill is bound to become an important international birding hotspot because as many of 26 different species of raptors, some in huge numbers, can be observed here, sometimes at close range.

VANTAGE VIEW: A group of birdwatchers and photographers on top of Radar Hill.

The most often recorded species in 2011 were the Chinese Sparrowhawk (more than 124,000), Black Baza (more than 102,800), Oriental Honey-buzzard (more than 36,300), Japanese Sparrowhawk (more than 13,100), Grey-faced Buzzard (more than 9,600) and Shikra (more than 3,700) according to Khao Dinsor – Thailand, Raptor Migration Summary 2011 by Robert DeCandido and co-workers.

In addition to these raptors, we also saw smaller birds, including migrating Blue-tailed Bee-eaters: exquisitely colourful jewels, that shoot by as fast as lightning.

The Isthmus of Kra forms part of Southeast Asia’s major raptor-migration route (see the map), which continues further south into the Malay Peninsula, then crosses the Straits of Melaka to the Indonesian island of Sumatera.

The view from the top of Pencil Hill is impressive: to the east is the Gulf of Thailand and to the north and west the Isthmus of Kra. Raptors of different species can be seen here flying close to the ridge of the hill, sometimes at eye level, sometimes below, and photography can be spectacular from this vantage point. An additional benefit here is that the sun is behind you for much of the day, front-lighting the birds so that details and colours can be better observed and photographed.

Many birdwatchers say that this hill is one of the finest sites to watch raptors on their southbound migration in the Thai-Malay Peninsula. For the northbound migration, Tanjung Tuan near Port Dickson, west of Kuala Lumpur, is one of the most spectacular sites. On Pencil Hill a concrete-and-stone-covered trail has recently been built through the low-stature forest to the best bird-watching sites on the ridge. Some of these sites are equipped with huts, so when you spend the day on the mountain, you have shelter from sun and rain.

In October, three birdwatchers and photographers from Kuching joined 15 others, some much more experienced than we are, from Peninsular Malaysia, to visit Pencil Hill and watch the migrating raptors.

We much enjoyed their company during the evening meals and at the watch sites. Other birdwatchers and photographers were already there, a good number of them from Thailand but also some from as far away as Finland, Canada, Taiwan and the USA. During the day our group spread out on the hill, where we learned from the experienced birdwatchers how to identify the species we saw.

We did not confine ourselves to Pencil Hill, but also watched raptors at another good site. From the town of Chumphon, we took the highway heading towards Bangkok for a distance of 76km and a travelling time of one hour 40 minutes to get to Radar Hill.

From A Field Guide to the Raptors of Asia by Toru Yamazaki and co-workers.

Radar Hill is named after the telecommunication tower sitting on top of the 170-metre hill. It is located more inland than Pencil Hill so the view is more onto the lowlands with an undulating landscape dotted with oil palm plantations.

The day that we were there, we were fortunate to witness a few flocks of Bazas landing and roosting for the night in trees on a nearby hill. We were all excited at the prospect of watching the Bazas take off the next morning to continue on their migratory route.

Sure enough, early in the morning we were rewarded with the sight of hundreds of Bazas sitting on top of the trees drying their wings in preparation for the day’s journey.

Then after about an hour of perching on top of the trees and spreading out their wings to dry, we were treated to a most spectacular sight of the Bazas taking off from the treetops. The locals told us that what we had witnessed was a very rare sight.

SARAWAK FASHION: (From right) Aaron, Sarawak Fashion Hi-Tea models (Chloé, Pamela, Ayu Chan, Sun, Dayana Abu Bakar, Anita Aziz, Syakila and Kimmy Kok) and Raymond.

SARAWAKIAN fashion designers – Aaron George Von Jolly and Raymond Jolly – are no strangers to the local and international fashion scene.

Within eight years of opening their fashion house – Von Jolly Couture – in Kuala Lumpur in 2004, they have not only won a slew of world accolades but also created several firsts for Malaysia in the world of high fashion.

In 2011, for the first time ever, Malaysian batik was represented at the Miss World Finals in London through the efforts of Von Jolly Couture. And this year, the KL-based fashion house also made history by introducing the application of pua kumbu – an Iban hand-woven fabric, acknowledged as one of the finest in this region – at an international beauty pageant.

“So far, we are the only Malaysian designers to have couturised these exquisite weavings and won ourselves recognition – the Top 4 World Designer Award – at the Miss World Finals in Mongolia in August this year,” Aaron told thesundaypost.

VON JOLLY SHIRTS: Wearing shirts designed by Von Jolly, (from right) former Miri City Council (MCC) mayor Datuk Wee Han Wen, former Pujut ADUN Andy Chia, former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Dr George Chan and Assistant Minister of Communications Datuk Lee Kim Shin sharing a light moment with the MCC mascot.

He said one of the three outfits, worn by Miss Malaysia World, Lee Yvonne, had emerged as one of the top four designs for the Miss World’s 2012 World Fashion Designer Award.

Von Jolly Couture was also among the first few Malaysian designers to have collaborated with renowned fashion houses such as Chanel in Como, Italy, in 2006 and Polo Ralph Laurens in New York in 2007.

How it started

The Von Jolly foray into high fashion started within the Jolly family in the state capital when Kuching-born Aaron, 49, and his uncle, Miri-born Raymond, 52, made evening dresses for the friends of Aaron’s mother, Doris George.

FERRARI CONNECTION: Aaron, the fashion designer and spokesperson for Ferrari in 2010.

Their business took off as the quality of their works spread far and wide through word of mouth.

In 2005, Von Jolly Couture won the fashion category grand prize for the Piala Seri Endon. They went on to pick up many local and international awards as well as collaboration deals with world famous designers.

Von Jolly Couture were voted the Top 3 Designer of The Year in 2006 by Media Prima, the Top 3 Designer in Malaysia in 2007 and the Top 4 Designer for the World Fashion Designer Award in 2012 – apart from being dubbed the Fashion Princes of Malaysian Contemporary Batik by Fashion TV UK.

The award-winning trend setters and couturiers have had the privilege to dress and style the rich and famous.Their designs have been paraded on the catwalks of high profile events in Kuala Lumpur and other world fashion capitals, including London, Vakko Istanbul, Milan and New York.

The many prizes include the International Show Parade in Guilianova, Italy, in 2008, the 79th Annual Academy Award in Kodak Theatre, Los Angeles in 2007 and the Tag Heuer Polo Event in New Delhi, India in 2008 (with Asha Gill of Lonely Planet and the famous Datuk Shah Rukh Khan).

Von Jolly Couture were also the official fashion designer-judge for many major events such as Miss Malaysia World 2011 and 2012; Miss International Finals in Kuala Lumpur; AIM-14 and Akademi Fantasia Seasons 4, 5 and 6, and Miss Malaysia Global 2011. They also designed the outfits of Miss Malaysia at Miss World Finals 2012 in Mongolia and Miss World 2012 in Ordos, Inner Mongolia.

PROUD MOMENT: Raymond (left) and Aaron (right) and their Von Jolly girls (from left) – Thavapriya Rajamanickam, Harnesh Kaur (Miss Malaysia Indian Global 2012) and Dhivya Dhyana. – Photos courtesy of Von Jolly Couture and Miri City Council.

Among local celebrities who had donned their multi-hued creations were popular actress Sazzy Falak for the 16th Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) 2009; actress Corinne Adrienne; singer Jaclyn Victor; broadcaster Wan Zaleha Radzi and beauty queens – Miss World Malaysia 2011 Chloé Chen, Miss Malaysia World 2012 Lee Yvonne and Miss Malaysia Indian Global 2012 Harnesh Kaur.

In Miri, Von Jolly Couture were the official designer of the anniversary outfit of the Miri Port Authority. They also designed the apparel for the elevation of Miri to city status in 2005.

Interestingly, Aaron himself was the fashion designer-cum-spokesperson for Ferrari in 2010.

Asked which of their awards were the most satisfying and prestigious, he said: “Actually, every award is very meaningful but I would say winning the Piala Seri Endon 2005, being dubbed the Fashion Princes by Fashion TV UK and making the World Top 4 in Miss World Finals 2012 are the best recognitions we have had so far.”

Raymond concurred the Piala Seri Endon 2005 was the one crucial event that helped shape the Von Jolly’s name.

“It opened many doors for us, including requests from celebrities and official designers of events like the Miss World Finals 2012 in Mongolia and the Miss World Earth pageant in the Philippines,” he said.

Future direction

A FIRST: Winner of Miss World Malaysia 2012 Lee Yvonne donning a pua kumbu outfit from Jolly’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection. It was the first time the Iban hand-woven fabric was featured on the world stage.

Asked whether their current Spring/Summer 2013 collection of pua kumbu was part of their new market strategy, Aaron replied: “It’s not a new strategy but rather an effort to recognise our roots in conjunction with the 50th Year of Independence of our homestate of Sarawak next year.”

Raymond said for Von Jolly Couture and even other fashion houses, the future direction should be to continuously strive to maintain and promote Malaysia’s cultural heritage such as pua kumbu and batik internationally.

“To me, we should look at the 1Malaysia Concept. Regardless of our different backgrounds, we should think as Malaysians, maintaining and promoting our rich cultural heritage on the global stage. And next year, we are planning a major fashion show for the people in Sarawak.”

To Von Jolly Couture, taking part in local and international contests and fashion shows is important to remain competitive and relevant.  And to promote a local event on November 17, they made a special appearance at the Sarawak Fashion Hi-Tea Pavilion, Concorde, in Shah Alam.

During the function, there were eight sets of outfits for the Finale Special Preview of Von Jolly Couture (Spring/Summer 2013) collection, featured by Miss World Malaysia 2011 Chloé Chen, and Miss World Malaysia 2011 runner-up Pamela Tam.

“Getting invited as a special designer for the Finale slot is certainly a privilege and a recognition from the organiser – the Sarawak Heritage Association,” Aaron beamed.

Among other Sarawakian designers taking part were MO Studio, Jyeik Couture, Erwan Asbor Collections, Q.ADAMSHA and PrOpaganda Boutique.

On the possibility of Von Jolly Couture opening an outlet in Sarawak since their products are well accepted in the state, Aaron said: “We love too but for the time being, we are a little short-handed and, of course, as the time goes by, we will think of something for the local market.”

Von Jolly Couture now have a total of 25 retail, office and workshop staff, iincluding their two designers – Aaron and Raymond.  Their label which has been around since 2004, carries haute couture and ready-to- wear apparels – from casual to evening outfits for both men and women.

Passion for fashion

EYE-CATCHING: Dayana Abu Bakar in an attractive pua kumbu outfit from Von Jolly’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection.

Von Jolly Couture have established their clientele not only in Kuala Lumpur but also overseas, including in Milan and London.

“There are no secrets for our success. As in most businesses, the essence is to live your business as a passion. We take everyday as a learning process,” Aaron explained.

For Raymond, a business administration graduate from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, passion also tops the list, followed by factors like dedication, the right business partners, marketing strategies and good time management

“Fashion is my passion. I don’t have any professional training but if something is with you since you were young, you will read, sketch, draw or do anything to achieve it – and be successful in it. I’m more a corporate person – more into the classic and the elegant,” he confessed.

Raymond who is also a private secretary to Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan, the Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry and Baram MP, said he left a well paid job as general manager of a logistics company for an oil and gas corporation in Kuala Lumpur because of his passion to preserve Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage.

Like Raymond, Aaron also left a secure career as operations manager in an American company based in Kuala Lumpur to pursue a similar passion.

Aaron holds a degree in travels and business operations from Mara University of Technology (UiTM) in Kuching.  He later studied arts and designs, graduating in 2001, and was quickly hired as a fashion stylist.

Aaron and Raymond, both of Eurasian parentage, learned the rudiments of tailoring from the women in their family, including Aaron’s mother Doris, (former general manager of Sports Toto for East Malaysia) and his sister, Sharon.

“What distinguishes us from the other designers is that we incorporate local elements – in this case, Malaysian contemporary batik – into high fashion ware. I have to emphasise that everything has to be personalised right from the start because we have our own batik factory that does abstract batik works from start and finish in the production process,” Aaron said.

Raymond chipped in: “I think we were chosen as official designers for major events because our works with batik and pua kumbu are very much in line with the Malaysian theme which the organisers are looking to promote.”

NOW UNDER WATER: This longhouse at Long Ayak now submerged under the Bakun Lake.

The total population of the Bhukets in Sarawak is about 400. Regardless of their distribution, there are fewer than 1,000 Bhukets in the world today.

IN the beginning when Minang (the creator) wanted to make humans, he went to the headwaters of the Uheng or Kapuas.

There, he created stones and rocks so that he could use them to make humans. When he was making the first man, he had formed the hands, the legs and the head but before he could complete the left foot, a mousedeer and a frog appeared.

The mousedeer called out to Minang: “What are you making?”

Minang did not answer several of his calls. The mousedeer thought to itself: “There is nobody greater than Minang – he can make life.”

The mousedeer went closer to Minang and told him only he could make rocks, water and humans. But the mousedeer thought to itself again: “I will be greater than Minang.”

The mousedeer then told Minang if he made man from rocks, the whole world would be full. Minang pondered over what the mousedeer had said.

The mousedeer asked: “Why don’t you just make rocks?”

But Minang did not listen to the mousedeer’s advice. By this time, he had already made the first walking man.

LAST SETTLEMENT: Long Ayak, the last settlement of the Bhukets before they relocated to Sungai Asap Resettlement Area to give way to the Bakun Dam development. — Pictures courtesy of Luhat.

The mousedeer asked Minang to make blood and when Minang asked the mousedeer how to do it, the latter replied: “It’s easy – you just have to use okar pengahang (a plant root that yields red dye).

The mousedeer collected the root for Minang, and that is how humans have blood.

Then Minang asked the mousedeer: “What if there were too many humans?”

The mousedeer replied: “Now that they have blood, they will eventually die.”

By then, Minang had realised the mousedeer had deceived him, for he did not intend humans to die.

After making humans, Minang felt very sad they would eventually die. He did not make any more humans which is why there are many rocks and rapids in the headwaters of the Uheng located in Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia.

That is also the reason why the Bhukets say humans can become rocks during huven (thunder storms) as narrated by Lajun Tingngang, U Jet Havet in 1993.

This Bhuket legend of creation of the first man was documented by anthropologist Dr Shanthi Thambiah in her PhD thesis, ‘Culture as Adaptation: Change among the Bhuket of Sarawak’, Malaysia in 1995 after an in-depth study and research on this minority group between 1992 to 1994. Today she is the associate professor of University of Malaya.

Fading colour

DIFFERENT AGE: An elderly Bhuket woman.

The Bhuket community, like the picture of their former settlement –  Long Ayak of Sungai Balui in Belaga – are slowly fading away.

Like Long Ayak, now submerged after the impoundment of the Bakun Dam, the Bhuket community will one day be completely drowned by the deep waters of more distinctive surroundings or neighbouring cultures.

In a recent interview with Assistant Minister of Culture and Heritage, Liwan Dagang, the Bhukets were among three other sub-ethnic groups of the Orang Ulu community on the verge of extinction. The others are the Sihan and the Seping.

“These sub-ethnic tribes are losing not only their languages but also their identities,” the Belaga state assemblyman lamented.

The Bhukets, a sub-ethnic group within the bigger Orang Ulu community, are clearly on the brink of extinction.

BHUKET COUPLE: The elderly Bhuket man with Bunga Terung tattoos on his shoulders, an Iban practice adopted by the Bhukets.

Johny Akau, 33, of mixed Bhuket and Chinese parentage may be the best educated Bhuket in Sarawak with a masters in tourism planning, but he confesses he does not know much about his own tradition and culture.

He grew up in Belaga town and has been working in Kuching with the Asap Koyan Development Community (AKDC).

One might have presumed Johny’s lack of knowledge of Bhuket tradition and culture is  due to the fact that he has never lived in a Bhuket community.

According to AKDC chief executive officer Henry Luhat, however, in terms of maintaining the original Bhuket culture, the young Bhukets of Sungai Asap are no better than Johny who believes only the Bhuket language and their food tradition are still intact while the rest of their cultural elements including music, dance, costume, handicraft, are already lost.

What still remains is the memory of their old religion after the community adopted Christianity in the 1970s.

Shanti’s research has no record of Bhuket music, arts, costumes and other components of culture. The area she penned most was their religion.

Even so, she noted there was a lack of rituals in the community’s belief system. When a death occurred, for example, the community would just leave the corpse behind and move on to a new settlement.

“The Bhukets have few rituals but the few they do perform are highly variable,” she remarked.

Shanti observed that as an egalitarian society and one that respects individualism, Bhuket people seem not interested in formalising their culture.

“Many cultural elements are developed as a consequence of adaptation to circumstance usually in the practices or processes of culture and also subject to the process of individuation,” she added.

Preventing total loss

PRIZED CATCH: A Bhuket man lands a big empurau, an expensive fish costing RM350 per kg in market today.

To prevent total loss of whatever is left of the Bhuket’s culture, Luhat has started collecting as much cultural data as he can from elderly Bhukets before their culture disappears altogether.

“Whatever that is left of the Bhukets will be recorded in a coffeebook for the preservation of their culture and tradition. This is one of AKDC’s projects to document some fading cultures,” he said in a recent interview.

He noted like many other native tribes, the Bhukets started with animism which slowly developed into a religion of many gods which slowly gave way to one mighty god by the name of Bungan.

“With the coming of Christianity, the name of Bungan is slowly forgotten and so are the rituals and beliefs attached to this deity of the Bhukets,” Luhat said.

He said there are of 52 Bhuket families left in Sarawak, most  staying in one longhouse in Sungai Asap with the rest scattered throughout Sarawak. Their total population is about 400.

Apart from Sarawak, there are two other Bhuket colonies residing in two longhouses in Kalimantan at Long Matelunai along Sungai Kapuas, and at Naha Tibap along Sungai Mahakam. There are fewer than 200 of them.

According to Luhat there are only about 600 Bhukets in the world.

However, according to Shanthi’s studies, as of 1995, there were 161 Bhukets in Long Ayak, 76 in logging camps and 39 scattered throughout Sarawak.

The 267 Bhukets include children from inter-ethnic marriages into the Bhuket community as they are also considered Bhukets by the community itself.

Most Bhukets are found in Kalimantan, spread out in four major settlements – Ng Hovat, Naha Tivab, Ng Balang and Matelunai – with a total population of 578, according to Shanthi’s report.

Regardless of their distribution, one thing clear is that there are fewer than 1,000 Bhukets in the world.

In earlier history, the Bhukets were always included as part of the Punan – a term for the tribes who preferred nomadic lifestyle as opposed to the agriculturists within the Orang Ulu community.

The Bhukets, who were wanderers before giving up the nomadic lifestyle, have their own legend to explain the choice of their ancestors. To them, it was a noble choice and one that showed their distinctiveness from their neighbouring tribes, as Shanti explained.

Reliance on sago

Minang collected all the people. Before that, he had already made the tiveng pare (a large bark container for storing paddy). He asked the people whose it was. 

Most of the people claimed it to be theirs. As they claimed it, they became Tory, Ivan and Kayan. Many more people claimed it to be theirs as well. So they all each got the tiveng pare.

However, the Bhukets said they did not want the tiveng pare and instead took the busung alok (sago container) – (narrated by Lajun Tingngang).

TRADITIONAL: The Bhuket community has a tradition of making mats.

The Bhukets rely a lot on sago, and to Luhat, in terms of culture, they are closer to the Melanau, the Lisun or the Bekatan.

According to Luhat, the main reason for possible extinction of the local Bhukets has been their assimilation into the bigger Orang Ulu tribes of the Kenyah and Kayan people while those in Kalimantan, into the bigger group of Indonesian Dayaks.

The other reason could be migration. As a nomadic tribe, the Bhukets had historically been subjected to migratory pressures in search of better settlement.

Along the way, it was inevitable they picked up practices and cultures of other neighbouring groups while discarding their own.

“The Bhukets have no tradition of tattoo. However, we see a lot of them with tattoo. They tattoo themselves like the Ibans, and even use Iban motifs such as the very typical bunga terung (brinjal flower) motif on the shoulders, like the Ibans,” Luhat noted.

The Bhukets are believed to have migrated from Kalimantan to Sungai Balleh or Sungai Jangayan when they first arrived in Sarawak hundreds of years ago.

It is known the Bhukets were staying along the Balleh much earlier because they were mentioned in the Great Kayan Expedition of 1863 where Raja James Brooke’s nephew Charles Brooke went up the mighty Rajang looking for the murderer of Brooke government officers Charles Fox and Henry Steele.

Although the Bhukets were known to be great warriors and fighters who resisted the invasion of the Ibans into the Rajang valley and had the reputation of being feared by other communities, they were still forced to migrate upstream of the Balleh at Long Taman due to their small numbers.

In the 1900s, the Bhukets moved further up and around 1950, finally settled at Long Ayak, beside Sungai Ayak, a tributary of the Balui, about 80km from the Bakun Dam.

Shanti also observed the Bhukets based their ethnicity on the principle of inclusiveness where any outsider could be a Bhuket without having to give up their own cultures and genealogical links, and where as long as one is related to a Bhuket, one is always a Bhuket.

With such an inclusive nature and easy adaptation to the cultures of other groups, it is no surprise the Bhukets are losing that of their own. The loss of culture in the face of other more influential and stronger cultures is inevitable.

What has to be done now is what has been done by both Shanti and Luhat – putting the stories of the Bhukets in written or digital records before they are completely forgotten and lost forever.

UNIQUELY SARAWAKIAN: The Sarawak Truly Malaysia Music Fusion band members, led by Sape (right) and Chin (left)

EUGENE Kuek, nicknamed Sape by his buddies, has been into music since he was a teenager.

He plays a wide range of musical instruments from guitar to drums and, of course, his favourite — the sape, a unique Orang Ulu musical instrument.

Of mixed Chinese and Kenyah parentage, Eugene learned to play the sape from his close friends while he was in a church choir

His life has always revolved around music and he loves playing musical instruments, especially sape, so much that he is making a living from it.

And that was probably how he got the moniker, ‘Sape’.

One day, he got a phone call from a stranger who wanted to listen to his sape music. The stranger went on to produce a CD for Eugene who later received a big surprise — that he would be enlisted into the group representing Malaysia at the Shanghai Folk Music
Orchestra Showcase in Rugao City this weekend (Dec 8 and 9).

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Sape (right) and Chin (left) during practice.

When they finally met up, Albert Chin (the stranger) told Sape (or Eugene) of their impending mission to China which will feature, at least, 80 other musical groups from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

“We were preparing ourselves for this chance-of-a-lifetime performance but our music director at Shangyin Music Centre in Kuching, Dr Teh Teow Kiat, now the conductor of the Singapore City Chinese Music Orchestra, wants a killer musical instrument to pit Sarawak music against other superior Chinese bands in the region.

“And that was how Sape came into the picture — to provide that X-factor we so urgently need,” Chin told thesundaypost.

MORE PRACTICE: Sape (or Eugene) practising on his favourite musical instrument.

Chin doubles up as the music school manager and the zhong ruan (Chinese classical guitar) player. Other members of the band are Edric Lai (percussion), Edwin Liew (gu zheng or Chinese harp), Yap Ting (bamboo flute), Bong Ngee Peng (erhu — Chinese violin) and Voon Sze Yung (erhu).

As the group was formed just last August, they need to spend at least a few hours a day polishing their skills and fusing their musical harmony to ensure maximum impact.

Chin also disclosed before leaving for Shanghai, Teh would be here to ensure they were well prepared for the big show.

“Dr Teh told us he won’t allow us to go if we were not up to the mark,” he said.

However, Chin is confident they will present something unique, fusing together what could be the first-ever presentation of traditional Chinese music blended with sape music to produce a Sarawak Truly Malaysia Music Fusion.

As they are allocated only eight minutes for their presentation, there is no room for error. Thus, they have spent countless hours every day to perfect their skills.

A glimpse of their practise session a fortnight ago was a real mind-blowing experience.

Within eight minutes, they were able to present a medley of famous local Malay folk songs such as Rasa Sayang, Chan Mali Chan and Puteri Santubong.

The result of the musical fusion between the sape and traditional Chinese musical instruments, played by these talented young Sarawakians, was really impressive.

As a proud Sarawakian, I am hopeful of their success — not just in their upcoming performance in Shanghai but also Sarawak’s very own Rainforest World Music Festival in the future.

On their future, Chin said he preferred taking it a day at a time, hoping their outing in China would be a success in order to enrich their portfolio and propel it to greater heights.

But for the young band members such as Liew, 21, and Lai 23, they feel really honoured to be given the chance to perform in the international arena and share the truly rich and multi-racial flavour of Sarawak music with the rest of the world.

UNIQUE SOUND: Chin playing the zhong ruan or Chinese classical guitar.

INTRICATE: Liew practising on the gu zheng or Chinese harp.